Federal Leadership Institute's Coaching Methodology

The Federal Leadership Institute Coaching Methodology creates a collaborative coaching relationship. Awareness and understanding are brought to the client so the client becomes empowered to make changes. The FLI methodology is based upon Robert Carkuff’s model of helping relationships which is an extension of Carl Rogers' Client-centered Therapy. The coaching relationship focuses on empathy, respect, genuineness, concreteness to help the client learn through exploration, understanding, action while applying helping skills such as attending, responding, personalizing, and initiating. The following highlights the elements employed by FLI coaches.

Establishing the Coaching Agreement –
The coach works closely with the clients to educate them on what is required in the coaching interaction and to come to agreement about the coaching process and relationship. The coach will effectively discuss with the client the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship and come to an agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what is and is not being offered, and about the client's and coach's responsibilities.

Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client –
The coach will create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust by showing genuine concern for the client's welfare and future, continuously demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and sincerity, establishes clear agreements and keeps promises, demonstrates respect for client's perceptions, learning style, personal being and provides ongoing support for new behaviors and actions, including those involving risk taking and fear of failure.

Coaching Presence –
The coach is fully conscious and creates spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible and confident. The coach uses humor to create a relaxed atmosphere, demonstrates confidence in working with strong emotions, and can self-manage and not be overpowered or enmeshed by client's emotions.

Active Listening -
The coach is highly trained to focus completely on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression.