Fostering commitment in coaching

Fostering client commitment is an important aspect of accountability and coaching. However, don’t fall into the trap of taking on an authoritarian role. Accountability in coaching is more about applying learning and self-knowledge, than cracking the whip.  

 

The figure below depicts the interdependent relationship between accountability and commitment. By fostering your client’s commitment, accountability is supported. In addition, increased accountability results in clients becoming more committed to themselves, and with that, taking responsibility. Therefore, commitment is both a prerequisite and an outcome of coaching and accountability, and this leads to clients taking responsibility and integrating new learning and awareness into their sense of self.

 

 

While clients’ extrinsic commitment to coaching strengthens accountability, holding clients accountable to their learning also fosters clients’ intrinsic commitment. Clients tend to begin coaching feeling committed to their coaches, however, toward the end of coaching, clients display increased intrinsic commitment to their own desires, feelings, values and ultimately to themselves.

 

Reference:

Griffiths, K. (2008). Discovering, applying and integrating self-knowledge: A grounded theory study of learning in life coaching (Ph.D). Centre for Learning Innovation, Queensland University of Technology.

 

 

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