HealthCoachTraining Program

The Basic Coaching Model

By Hilton Johnson, Coach

Note: The information and concepts presented in this lesson are for educational purposes only. It is not
intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. It is not intended to substitute for the
advice, treatment and/or diagnosis of a qualified licensed professional. Coaches trained by
HealthCoachTraining (Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc.) may not make any medical diagnoses, claims
and/or substitute for a physicians care.

Introduction to the Cooperative Coaching Model

In developing our Cooperative Coaching Model we started with our philosophy, definition
of coaching and ethical standards. We coach in a way that empowers our client because we
believe that the client is the expert in the coaching relationship and has natural gifts and
talents that allow him/her to solve many if not all of his/her problems. We believe that
coaching is a cooperative partnership wherein the client chooses the focus and the coach
listens, observes and ask questions that help the client clarify, focus and choose small
manageable steps to shift them ever closer to their goals and enhanced quality of life. Our
Cooperative Coaching Model starts with the Basic Coaching Model that asks a series of
seven questions that are intended to create emotion to get the client thinking and visualizing
which will draw them/propel them toward taking small manageable action steps while
receiving support and being held accountable.

We enhance our Basic Coaching Model with the coaching knowledge and skills outlined by
the late Laura Whitworth and her associates in Co-Active Coaching: skills such as
creating a safe island, listening at levels 2 & 3, asking empowering, probing, clarifying and
many other types of questions, We combine that with our model of change based on the
research findings of Dr. James Prochaska and colleagues which we call Stage Coaching.
Their findings allow us to recognize where clients are now in the continuum of change so that
we may use the processes described in Changing for Good to assist our clients as they
move through the 6 identifiable stages. We draw too on the work of Dr. Martin Seligman in
Authentic Happiness from whom we learn that change, like life, is easier if we always act
in concert with our values and consciously use our character strengths every day. Our
Cooperative Coaching Model also recognizes the importance of self -management by the
coach so as to focus and listen and question in a way that holds true to the clients agenda.
The work of Rick Carson in Taming Your Gremlin helps the coach manage the sabotaging
power of the narrator in his/her own head and can be an invaluable tool in helping clients to
empower themselves and move forward without fear during the coaching journey.

Copyright 2001-2012 Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. 1

Coaching Methods

Over the next year we will spend time looking at different methods of coaching including
individual, group and virtual. Each method is unique and offers clients and coaches
different benefits. Our initial focus will be on learning the fundamentals as they apply to
individual coaching and then we will begin to look at the other methods.

Lesson Overview

Starting with this lesson we will spend four weeks looking at the four foundation stones
of our HealthCoachTraining Program. When you think of building a coach-client
relationship, envision a building and its foundation. Unless we make sure the foundation
is firmly in place the building may become unstable and may even fall down when put
under stress. We will start with our Basic Coaching Model.

Our lesson is divided into three sections:

The seven step Basic Coaching Model

Important Coaching Skills and
The key components of Coaching

There is no standard way to coach someone; there are several models we can choose
from. You will learn that you can begin coaching almost immediately using our seven
step basic coaching model. Its very simple but powerful and it can be the foundation of
your coaching program. In the future you may choose another model based on what your
client brings to the table and what you think will best suit the situation.

The Basic Model

Please note that on your Basic Coaching Model Overview there is lots of white space so
that you can add more questions as wording that really works well for you comes to mind
or you hear one of your classmates use language that captures the question beautifully.

1. Goal

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2. Create Emotion

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Copyright 2001-2012 Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

3. Starting Point

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4. Uncover Block

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5. Baby Step (2 Options)

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OR

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6. Support

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7. Accountability (2 Questions)

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AND

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A Discussion of Some Key Components

Baby Step Suggestions

Remember when clients choose baby steps nothing is too small or too simple. This is
where being non-judgmental is key. As Hilton would say: Just a notch above thinking.
Clients will sometimes choose a step that they think they should choose rather than one
which absolutely cannot fail. They may still be caught up in doing what they think you
want them to do rather than what they want to do.
Copyright 2001-2012 Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. 3
________________________________________________________________________

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Ways To Hold The Client Accountable

If people could make changes on their own they would not need a coach. They are
looking for someone to hold them accountable for what they say they want.
Accountability asks when-how. We set up reporting structures such as email, phone
calls, text messages, instant messaging, faxes. Accountability is unique in the coaching
relationship because it is completely judgment free. Accountability is your clients
accounting for what they said they would do. Its demonstrated by 3 questions:

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Creating Emotion

Thinking Emotion Action. It is one of the key components of our Basic Coaching
Model.

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Being Non-Judgmental

In coaching it is extremely important that we not impose our values on our clients.
Instead we strive to create a non-judgmental environment in which clients feel safe and
courageous; where the truth can be told about what the client has done/not done without
worrying about looking good. Its an environment where the coach expects honesty and
openness from the client because there is no consequence of truth other than growth and
learning.

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Copyright 2001-2012 Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. 4

Important Coaching Skills

1. Narrow Down To Single Focus (If Necessary)

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2. Set Parameters

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3. Manage Progress

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Assignment

1. Read our HealthCoachTraining Philosophy and Code of Ethics by going to

www.healthcoachtraining.com, looking for the HCT Certified Seal and
clicking on Read Our Code of Ethics or go to the General HealthCoach
Forms and Documents section of the private student area below the lesson
plans for Month 12.

2. Practice the 7-step Basic Coaching Model with family, friends, and
acquaintances as many times as possible but at least 3-5 times this week.

3. To get our toolkits started please send to us on the listserv 3-4 baby steps for
at least 2 of the following coaching areas:
Weight management
Increasing activity
Managing stress
Quitting smoking
Managing a chronic health issue

Copyright 2001-2012 Hilton Johnson Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. 5