First of all, I developed this model towards the end of my coaching program after spending several months discovering my unique coaching style. In a conversation with Razan, she pointed out that my empathetic approach to coaching felt very natural. Reflecting on her valuable feedback, I realized that my style was particularly suited to clients struggling with confidence. This insight led me to explore how I could formalize it into a model that truly represents my beliefs and approach.
The 3cs Coaching Model: Confidence, Courage, and Chance
In the workplace, the 3Cs model—Confidence, Courage, and Chance—offers a clear and practical path to success. This model which I have created emphasizes how these 3 elements interconnect to help people achieve their goals. I am using this model particularly when I am working with clients who are dealing with a lack of confidence in a specific situation in their workplace.
By building confidence, one can develop courage. With courage, risks can be taken, which opens up new opportunities—leading to greater chances for success.
I wanted to share here how these elements work together and how they can lead to success.
Understanding My Target Audience
Midlife professionals, especially expatriates in their 40s, who are seeking:
- To regain confidence in their lives.
- To build the courage needed for a career change.
- To embrace new opportunities that align with their values and goals.
Particularly when they are:
- At a crossroads in life: many midlife professionals find themselves questioning their current path, whether due to personal reflection or external changes. This period of transition is ripe for a coaching intervention that can provide clarity and direction.
- Seeking confidence in a new chapter: as they consider new careers, the clients often need to rebuild their confidence, especially if they have been out of the workforce or are considering a significant change, such as starting a new chapter in their life.
- In need of courage for the next step: The decision to pursue a different path can be daunting. Many midlife professionals struggle with fear of failure or the unknown. The 3Cs model is designed to help them cultivate the courage necessary to take that leap
- Open to seize new opportunities: whether driven by a desire for personal fulfillment or professional growth, my clients are ready to explore new possibilities. The ‘Chance’ aspect of the 3Cs model encourages them to embrace opportunities with an open mind, recognizing that taking calculated risks can lead to meaningful rewards.
- Building Confidence
Confidence is the starting point of the model. It’s about believing in ourselves and our abilities for growth. According to Brené Brown in her book “Daring Greatly” ” Confidence is not just about feeling good about ourselve but about having the courage to take action even when we are scared. Confidence allows people to take on challenges and keep going even in doubt.
Building confidence involves several strategies. One effective method is setting small, achievable goals. When these goals are accomplished, confidence grows. While doing some research, I have found that the Journal of Applied Psychology supports this approach, showing that people with higher confidence levels are more likely to perform better and remain motivated in their workplace where employees tend to be overwhelmed with information.
Another way to build confidence is through positive self-talk. Changing how we speak to ourselves can significantly impact self-esteem. What an article in Psychology Today said, is that positive affirmations can help shift our mindset and build a more resilient sense of self-worth, especially in a work environment where verbal conflicts can happen.
In a coaching session, here are some questions that I would be using:
Confidence-related questions
- Can you describe a recent situation where you felt uncertain about your abilities at work?
- How did that impact your confidence when dealing with colleagues
- What steps could you take to build a stronger sense of self-belief in similar situations?
- Developing Courage
Once a solid foundation of confidence is built, courage can start to develop. Courage is about taking action despite fear and uncertainty. Brené Brown, in her research, explains that courage involves embracing vulnerability and facing fears head-on. It’s about stepping out of our zone of comfort and trying new things, even when we are unsure of the outcome.
A client who is confident will be more likely to take courageous actions because they believe in their ability to handle challenges. Online research in the “Journal of Behavioral Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry” shows that higher levels of confidence are associated with a greater willingness to face fears and take bold actions.
Developing courage in the work environment (public speaking, or in meetings, for example) also involves understanding that failure is part of the process. An article in “Harvard Business Review” discusses how embracing failure as a learning opportunity can enhance courage and resilience. Courage is not about avoiding failure but about facing it with determination and learning from it. By reframing failure as a stepping stone rather than an obstacle, the client can develop a more courageous mindset
In a coaching session, here are some questions that could be asked:
- What is a risk or challenge you have been avoiding at work because of fear or doubt?
- How can developing more confidence help you approach this challenge with greater courage?
- What small steps can you take to start addressing it?
- Embracing Chance
With courage comes the ability to take risks, which opens up new opportunities. Chance refers to the unexpected opportunities and possibilities that arise when one is willing to take risks. The article “Why taking risks is essential for innovation” in Forbes in 2019 explains that embracing uncertainty and taking risks are crucial for innovation and success
Taking risks can lead to great discoveries and unexpected success. For example, many successful entrepreneurs have achieved incredible outcomes by taking calculated risks and embracing uncertainty. By stepping outside our comfort zone, opportunities are increased.
By remaining flexible and adaptable, we have more chances to increase the chances of finding new opportunities that align with our goals.
In a coaching session, here are a few questions that can be asked:
- Reflecting on a recent chance you had, how did your willingness to take risks influence the outcome?
- What new opportunities might you be missing out on because of hesitation?
- how can you position yourself to embrace future chances more effectively?
By following this process, a powerful cycle is created that leads to success. For example, imagine the client is starting a new business. Begin by building confidence through small successes and positive affirmations. This confidence helps in facing the fears and uncertainties involved in starting a business, giving the courage to take the plunge. With courage, risks are taken and new opportunities are explored, which may lead to unexpected chances for growth and success.
I applied the 3Cs model with a pro bono client in the marketing industry who was feeling stuck and uncertain about their next career move. We worked through the model in the following way:
Confidence: The first step was to rebuild the client’s confidence, which had taken a hit after a few unsuccessful attempts at getting promoted to a higher-level marketing role. I encouraged her to reflect on past successes, such as successfully launching an important digital campaign that increased brand awareness by 100%. We discussed how these achievements helped her gain value in the marketing field. Through this process, the client started to see her impact and began to regain confidence in her capacity
Courage: Next, we focused on cultivating the courage she needed to pursue a new direction. She had been considering a shift toward brand strategy but was hesitant due to the fear of stepping out of her comfort zone. I guided her through a visualization exercise where she imagined successfully transitioning into this new role and the potential growth it could bring. We also discussed the worst-case scenario, which showed her the fear was manageable. This clarity empowered her to take bolder steps
Chance: finally, we explored opportunities that aligned with her initial goal. She walked away with specific actions, – attending industry webinars and connecting with professionals in that niche through LinkedIn -. The client also applied for a mentorship program in brand strategy, which would provide both learning and networking opportunities.
Outcome: By the end of our coaching session, my client had not only regained her confidence but also taken courageous steps toward a new career path. She managed to secure an interview for a brand strategy role and was actively building connections that could support her growth.
Reference
- Brene Brown – Daring Greatly
- Forbes in 2019. Why taking risks is essential for innovation
- Harvard Business Review – How to embrace failure and use it to your advantage.
- Psychology Today – How risk-taking can lead to success.”, in 2018 and 2020 with “The power of positive affirmations”
- ORCHID model