The 7 Steps of Effective Executive Coaching, by Sabine Dembkowski, actually titled The Seven Steps of Effective Executive Coaching, if you are looking for it on Amazon or some other book site, is a book that builds on the GROW coaching model.

The GROW Model of Coaching

The GROW model was developed in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s and has become one of the most established and successful coaching models in the world. Most coaches know what it stands for:

G – Goal
R – Reality (current reality)
O – Options (or obstacles)
W – Will (or way forward or what’s next?)

The Seven Core Capabilities of Executive Coaching

One of the main parts of the book, The 7 Steps of Effective Executive Coaching, is concerned with the seven core capabilities of executive coaching. These 7 capabilities are:

• Rapport building
• Deep listening
• Creative questioning
• Giving effective feedback
• Clear goal setting
• Intuition
• Presence

The 7 Steps of Effective Executive Coaching – ACHIEVE

The ACHIEVE model is at the heart of The Seven Steps of Effective Executive Coaching. ACHIEVE stands for:

• Assessing the current situation. This helps identify the obstacles and what is holding the client back.
• Creative brainstorming. Quick bursts of ideas to help the client get unstuck.
• Honing goals. Identifying priorities and what things should be at the top of the client’s t-do list.
• Initiating options. What behaviors or plans will get the clients to their goals. What is the different paths that can be taken and pursued.
• Evaluating options. Assessing each option and deciding on which option is the best one to take toward a goal.
• Valid action plan. Creating a strategic action plan which can be measured and assessed.
• Encouraging momentum. This is the motivation and inspiration part – where you keep the client on track to achieve their goals.

GROW and ACHIEVE With Coaching

The 7 steps of effective executive coaching takes the GROW model of coaching and develops it into something more comprehensive. It outlines a step by step approach to being an effective executive coach. It was written by a coach to be used by coaches. It is for coaches and consultants who work with executives, and it is also for business leaders and managers who wish to incorporate some of these steps into the managerial and leadership practices.

The best part of the book is that the author describes the core capabilities in the context of each step of the ACHIEVE coaching model. This design provides practical application for coaches within the context of their coaching sessions.

Using Both GROW and ACHIEVE in a Coaching Practice

The ACHIEVE method of coaching doesn’t eliminate the usefulness of the GROW model. It merely provides coaches with another tool, and one that is perhaps a bit more detailed. The more tools a coach has in his or her toolbox, the more diverse and wide-ranging their ability to help diverse clients. The 7 steps of effective executive coaching as detailed are just more tools which help to find outcomes for your clients.

Read The Seven Steps of Effective Executive Coaching and add more tools to your toolbox – it’s a cheap investment in your skills and you’ll be a better coach for it!

Give this strategy a try and see for yourself that it works. If you liked this coaching tip, leave a comment or use the handy bookmark buttons below to share it with others on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. Thanks!

Fred Philips
Business Coach
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