Coaching and the Tree of Life

“… the wish fulfilled is the Tree of Life.” Proverbs 13:12

Above, a proverb that illustrates the importance of following goals and fulfilling them fills our Tree of Life. I use the analogy of a Tree in my Coaching sessions.

The Tree represents the cycle of life. The deep roots are connected to the land, amid the winds and storms they remain firm. Here we have the harmony of the mental, the physical, and the spiritual. Like human beings, trees grow, grow their roots, produce new branches, bear fruit. It is our symbol of coaching because it represents what we will achieve. It is mother nature favoring our creativity and change.

The stages and processes of this training model consist of:

Phase 1 — Sprout

Providing the best possible environment for change is one of the coaches ’ roles and responsibilities. It is the opportunity for the client (coachee) to have a place of total security and acceptance. A place where you can talk freely about hopes, fears, dreams, and desires, without judgment. This contact coach/coachee in the first sessions is the one where recognition takes place. It is the place of great possibilities, it can be described as a fertile ground to begin to germinate the life you hope to have, laying the foundation for everything you want to become.

To better germinate, the coach uses techniques that recognize and encourage the coachee to develop confidence and provide a safe environment. Being a good listener is the most important skill in conducting a conversation for effective germination. Knowing how to listen is to interpret what the client says without any judgment and attachment. The trust and intimacy between coach and coachee are built daily. A skilled coach will be able to ask powerful questions and provide valuable depth and clarification that reflects the perception of self-discovery.

Phase 2 — Roots
This stage of the coach/coachee relationship is one in which the possibilities (roots) are further explored. It is expected to establish essential foundations to provide a solid foundation. It is sure to plant the tree in the best possible environment to thrive. This is done in parts, using tools to discover the coachee’s values. This step is very important because, if the tree is not cultivated with good roots, it will not produce the expected fruit.

At this time, we work with the client to solidify his objectives, always in line with his values, establishing the stages of an action plan after discussing the options to proceed. We set deadlines and measure motivation levels. If the level of motivation is below 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, we explore new ways to raise it. This phase of the “Tree of Life” allows the coachee to come out in the sunlight, moving towards the fruitful life he plans to have.

Phase 3 — Trunk
The trunk is the stage of the coach/coachee relationship in which the client tends to advance and grow more than he imagines. The coach recognizes and encourages the coachee while also holding him accountable for his commitments, challenging him to achieve goals, execute the steps of the action plan, and keep his motivation high. Some obstacles may appear. With each crisis or obstacle that arises, it is necessary to find the best way to overcome them and draw valuable lessons that will strengthen the progress to the next stage: the achievement of your goals.

Phase 4 — Fruits
The fruit is the stage of the accomplished goals. The client will feel that he has just accomplished something extraordinary, a satisfaction in having the courage to leave his comfort zone and seek help to create the life he imagined. The tree is now strong, deeply rooted in good quality soil, in line with its mission, vision, and values, and mainly producing fruit. From that moment on, the coachee lives focused and structured.