By: Razan Zeidal-Kilani

Transformational Coach, CANADA

• The WISDOM Coaching Model resembles retrieving sunlight from a state of cloudiness. The analogy used here is that Wisdom resembles sunlight emerging from behind the clouds.

• In the following slides, I’ve demonstrated my ideas in images that will help explain the analogy across the different phases of the coaching model, which I have used with my clients, and has proved to be very functional and inspiring.

Description of The Analogy:

• Cloudiness resembles client’s feelings of confusion about certain matters. This can be the result of wanting something yet not knowing how or not making an action to attain it.

Description of The WISDOM Model

• Obstacles/ challenges resemble the clouds covering sunlight, which brightens our client’s path ahead.

• When the sun is shining brightly in the sky away from the clouds, client’s path seems clear and more manageable to be walked on; and the destination (client’s goals) appears plain clear ahead.

• As the client sees the path and their goals clearly, client generally starts feelingmore optimistic and motivated about making a move toward their goals, as theyknow where they are going and how to get there.

• When client achieves clarity, they can align with their internal wisdom; client hasclearer ideas of the steps needed to be made on the path of achieving their goals. Such clarity of vision allows also freedom of choice.

• Celebration of achieving one’s goals resembles dancing under the sun enjoying itswarmth, the happiness resulting from achieving one’s objectives.

W –WH Questions
The Cloudy Phase

W stands for theWH discovery questions. This is the initial phase, where matters seem  vague, confusing or troublesome . Cloudy.

Client feels constantly drained of energy, like a rainy cloud and due to cold temperatures.

Client’s vision is unclear, their mood is not settled and their path ahead seems difficult.

This is the phase where the coach asks the discovery questions, like:
• What seems to be the problem?
• Where can we see it & How can we change it for the better?
• Why would you like to change it?
• How can we maintain the good change?

I – Identification with Oneself

Finding The Sun behind the Clouds

This is the phase where the coach encourages identification with one’s self, strengths, values, goals and life purpose.

Here, coach and client attempt to find the sun behind the clouds, self and one’s wishes obscured behind the obstacles.

Coach’s focus surrounds:

What do you want to achieve in your life?

S – Self Motivation
Sun Emerging

This is the phase where coach tries to wake up motivation inside client’s soul and mind. Gradually and with the use of powerful tools,self-motivation starts happening almost automatically. Goals never seen before, start to look so clear, and a ray of hope shines onclient’s face.

Client starts feeling more optimistic of their capability to make a change, and start thinking about doable actions steps & feelingmore committed to stick to them.

To instigate Self-Motivation, the coach uses:

• Visualization to increasing client’s awareness.
• Reframing Perspectives to inspire client to see what s/he needs to change.
• Co-Creating Action Plan: Upon assessing client’s level of awareness and optimism, coach can now start to co-create an action plan with the client, maintaining the importance of holding client accountable for committing to it.

D – Dynamic Change & Dream Realization

Dynamic Change is the phase where client starts reaping what s/he sows, i.e. feeling great enthusiasm while committing to the
action steps.
Here, the coach:
• Follows Up regularly to check the client’s progress.
• Encourages client for further Self- Accountability, as opposed to relying on coach to hold them accountable.
• Acknowledges minor and major steps.
• Demonstrating client’s proximity to realizing their bigger dream.

A cycle of escalating engagement & seeing results.

O – Obstacles Dismantling

Taking The Clouds Away From the Sun

Very often, clients might experience a slow down, a stop, or a total block on their way to achieving their goals.

I give this the analogy of the sun/ sunlight being blocked by clouds. Coach’s task hereis to help dismantle these clouds (obstacles) away from the sun so as to retrieve Sunlight (optimism and clarity of vision). This usually re-inspires clients, and remindsthem of their goal behind the change they sought in the beginning.

Coach can use:

• Power tools, like Evading vs Making An Action: Client is the vehicle between the present status and the future goal sought after.
• Empowerment technique to reverse client’s need for resistance of new change: Change is fearful to some clients, and it is expected that they experience a slow down in the middle of the way.
• Awareness heightening techniques to help clarify what may be happening with client. Visualization, physical expression and art can be quite powerful tools to use to empower and unblock client.

M – 3 Ms Phase

This is the phase of the 3 Ms: Maintain Progress, Motivate constantly & Monitor progress.

When there is sunlight (awareness, optimism and motivation), the path ahead is clear and clients see and know where they are going. The road looks more familiar, safer and more exciting. Goals seem more clear and approachable.

The coach can:
• Monitor and motivate constantly.
• Celebrate with Client: Acknowledgement and marking client’s milestones.
Client now is enjoying the warmth of the sunlight, clarity of vision and happiness of achieving their goals.