Collaborative Coaching Is it the coach’s job to support the client to achieve happiness and satisfaction or to give the client options from which to choose? What are the coach’s responsibilities and what are the client’s responsibilities before, during, and after coaching? Can a coach help the client achieve happiness? Barry Schwartz’s video Paradox of Choice set an interesting perspective that if you have low expectations you will be happier. That could be understood in the reverse as high achievers have higher levels of frustration because they do have high expectations for themselves and others. People who want to work with a coach are usually high achievers. So what is a Collaborative Coach to do in helping clients’ achieve happiness; help them set low expectations?

1. Collaborative Coaching
Rex Gatto Ph.D., BCC
Collaborative Coaching
Is it the coach’s job to support the client to achieve happiness and satisfaction or to give the
client options from which to choose?
What are the coach’s responsibilities and what are the client’s responsibilities before, during, and
after coaching?
Can a coach help the client achieve happiness?
Barry Schwartz’s video Paradox of Choice set an interesting perspective that if you have low
expectations, you will be happier. That could be understood in the reverse as high achievers have
higher levels of frustration because they do have high expectations for themselves and others.
People who want to work with a coach are usually high achievers. So what is a Collaborative
Coach to do in helping clients’ achieve happiness; help them set low expectations?
To begin a coaching process a coach could discuss the ten points below as a road map to
collaborative coaching. The coach’s job is to guide and support the client by drawing out and
helping the client understand options and directions from which to choose.
How is that done, by asking questions?
Following is a collaborative coaching discussion process:

2. 1. Identify what the client wants. Ask if there were no limitations or obstacles in your life
what would you be doing? What would bring you to a state of fulfillment in your work
and personal life?
2. What do you do very well at work and personal life? What do you feel you do best
(don’t compare yourself to anyone) just focus on yourself.
3. What are your energizes and drainers? Have the client complete a life energy list of
what Energizes YOU and Drains YOU? Knowing what motivates and drives the client to
put out energy is extremely important to the collaborative coaching discussion process.
4. What are the client’s obstacles to achieving the goals and accomplishments s/he
wants to accomplish? Ask the client to identify life obstacles and to develop an action
plan to move beyond those obstacles. Understand whether the client is using the
obstacle(s) as an excuse or a reason for not taking action. Assign homework and ask for
weekly updates.
5. Identify the client’s personal beliefs and what s/he thinks they are capable of
accomplishing. Asking the client to write a retirement speech of all that is to be
accomplished, this often sets the stage for a robust discussion.
6. What are the client’s options and possibilities in the workplace and personal life?
Ask the client to develop a career plan for his/her personal and professional life. This
would include career development by position and work and family development
including children and planning with regard to family.
7. Self-observation by the client. Ask the client to complete skill-based assessments that
will support self-awareness and growth. Examples of key skills: communication,
leadership and followership, conflict resolution, EQi, self-esteem, and teamwork to name
pertinent assessments.
8. Develop a realistic plan of action. Ask the client to complete and action plan outlining:
goals, energizers, personal and professional goals and directions, strengths, and areas for
development to memorialize a coaching starting point moving to discussion and
accomplishments.
9. Develop a timeline of accountability for the client. The client needs to address what
s/he will do to accomplish all they want during a coaching process. How and when will
the client accomplish what he/she wants during and after coaching?
10. . Establish a process for working together after reviewing with the first nine points.
How can we best work collaboratively together to achieve the above points, is always a
great question for coaches to ask clients?
In Summary
Use the above process as a way to begin a Collaborative Coaching Process (CCP). It is important
to know how to coach, ask the right coaching questions, and constantly remind yourself of the
professional and ethical actions of a coach.
Rex Gatto Ph.D., BCC
President
Gatto Associates LLC.
412 344-2277 (Office)
www.rexgatto.com
rex@rexgatto.com