A Coaching Power Tool By John Rezaiyan, Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Business Executives Coach, UNITED STATES
MY Power Tool Self-Compare vs. Contrast
I started preparing my power tool by reviewing IFC, ICA, and other organizations’ Power Tools, searching the internet for information, and reviewing what some of my colleagues have posted on CoachCampus, but was drawing a blank. I couldn’t come up with something original. It would not be MY Power Tool if I had read it somewhere and this is supposed to be mine. So, I did what I usually do when I have to address a difficult issue or solve a problem. I took a walk in the early morning and had an internal question and answer (Q&A) session. My internal Q&A session went something like this:
Q: Why do I want to be a coach?
A: Help others
Q: How is coaching supposed to help others?
A: Empower clients to transform – move from where they are to where they want to go/be – reach their goal and fulfill their potential/dream.
Q: What have I seen/heard in over 100 hours of peer coaching, mentor coaching, and observe coaching that has been most transformative?
A: I did not have to answer this question. As I asked myself the question, suddenly, I could hear and/or see individuals who have been transformed and were committed to doing what it would take to achieve their goal.
The next questions and my response clarified everything. These individuals/clients/coachees had transformed because the coach had helped them to compare and contrast their current state of being, their current situation, with their state of being when they have realized their goal. I had MY Power Tool: “Self-Compare vs. Contrast.”
Self-Compare and Contrast
Coaching is a transformative process that empowers individuals to reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Self-Compare and Contrast Power Tool helps clients explore their current state and desired outcomes through the lens of comparison and contrast. By evaluating their own situation and progress, individuals can gain valuable insights into their journey, identify areas for growth, and develop actionable strategies to overcome challenges. The “Self-Compare and Contrast” power tool can be effectively employed in coaching settings to foster personal and professional development.
Comparison and Contrast
Comparison involves analyzing the similarities and differences between two or more entities, situations, concepts, or individuals. Contrast, on the other hand, focuses on highlighting the distinct features and characteristics that set these entities, situations, concepts, or individuals apart. In coaching, these concepts can be harnessed to facilitate deep self-reflection and exploration.
Self-Comparison vs. Comparison With Others
While both self-comparison and comparison with others involve evaluating circumstances, they serve distinct purposes. Comparison with others can often lead to feelings of inadequacy, competition, and self-doubt. On the contrary, self-comparison encourages introspection and growth. Self-compare and -contrast enables clients to analyze their personal progress, strengths, and areas for improvement, fostering a more positive and constructive mindset. Instead of competing with external benchmarks, individuals focus on their own journey, enhancing self-awareness and resilience.
Application in Coaching Settings
The “Self-Compare vs. Contrast” power tool holds immense potential for coaching contexts, offering clients a structured method to overcome stagnation and make meaningful strides toward their goals.
- Recognizing Stagnation and Growth Opportunities: Clients often encounter situations where they feel stuck or unsure of how to proceed. By employing the self-compare and -contrast approach, coaches can guide clients to objectively assess their current status and ideal situation. This reflective process allows individuals to identify areas of misalignment, untapped potential, and growth. Such recognition is the first step towards generating motivation and enthusiasm for change.
- Identify Strengths and Areas for Improvement: Through contrast, clients gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses. This recognition enables them to leverage their strengths and work on areas that require enhancement, contributing to personal and professional growth.
- Cultivate Self-Compassion: Unlike external comparison, self-comparison emphasizes self-compassion and self-acceptance. Clients learn to appreciate their unique strength, journey, and progress leading to increased confidence and a healthier self-esteem.
- Identifying Actionable Steps: Once clients have a clear understanding of their current and desired states, they can begin identifying specific actions and strategies to bridge the gap. Through the act of self-contrast, individuals gain insights into the skills, attitudes, and knowledge they need to develop to achieve their goals. This self-directed exploration empowers clients to set achievable milestones and design a tailored path forward.
- Fostering Accountability and Growth: Regular self-compare and -contrast exercises create a sense of accountability within clients. Tracking progress over time enables individuals to celebrate their achievements, regardless of their pace. Moreover, this tool encourages a growth-oriented mindset. Challenges and setbacks are reframed as opportunities for learning, thus enhancing resilience and adaptability.
Self-Compare vs. Contrast: A Valuable Asset in Coaching
The “Self-Compare vs.Contrast” power tool is a valuable asset in coaching, enabling clients to navigate challenges, identify areas of development, and create actionable plans for personal and professional growth. Unlike comparison with others, this approach promotes self-compassion, self-awareness, and intrinsic motivation. By leveraging the power of self-reflection and introspection, coaches can guide individuals toward a transformative journey of realizing their full potential.