The Discipline of Direction: Mapping the "Wheel of Anything"
In this week’s training with Barefoot Coaching Ltd, we moved from the internal state of the coach to the practical application of direction. We explored a versatile tool known as the “Wheel of Anything.”
Many are familiar with the "Wheel of Life," where categories like health, career, and relationships are predefined. However, the "Wheel of Anything" shifts the power to the coachee, they decide exactly what categories matter to them in that moment.
Co-Creating the Metric
The beauty of this tool is its simplicity: start with where you are and define where you would like to be. As a coach, you agree on the assessment scale together:
Are we scoring from 0 to 10?
Are we using percentages?
Is 10 the "maximum satisfaction," or is it simply a "target state"?
There is no "correct" way, only the agreed way. One of the most interesting realizations during our practice was about expectations. Many people initially want every category to reach a 10. But is that realistic? Often, an 8 is exactly where stability lives. Progress should be achievable and sustainable, not a relentless pursuit of perfection.
The STOKERS Model and the Power of Challenge
During my practice session, I combined the Wheel with the STOKERS coaching model. Before diving in, however, there is a crucial question to ask: Does the person in front of you want to be challenged? The answer to that question dictates the entire tone of the conversation. Coaching is relational; it must adapt to the level of "stretch" the individual is comfortable with.
Coaching vs. Mentoring: The Delivery Lead Reflex
As I practiced reflecting—simply repeating the coachee’s own words back to them—I found myself reflecting on leadership in general. In the corporate world, we often jump straight to advice. We assume we know what the other person needs because we’ve seen similar patterns before.
As a Delivery Lead, my brain is wired to fix. During one triad session (Coach, Coachee, Observer), I caught myself asking a leading question. In that split second, my "mentoring reflex" nearly took over.
There is a vital distinction here: * Mentoring: Sharing my experience and offering solutions.
Coaching: Helping the other person clarify their direction.
Both are valuable, but they are not the same. Catching the moment where I try to "fix" rather than "facilitate" is where my real growth as a coach is happening.
I’m curious: When you’re in a conversation with someone who is stuck, do you find it harder to listen or to resist the urge to give advice?
