“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication”
(Leonardo da Vinci)
In this 3 part series on Life Coaching we have explored:
- What is Life Coaching?
- How to set SMART goals
This third blog looks at a tool I use in coaching: Bridge that Gap or Simple Gap and the value of simplicity in coaching. There are many beautiful quotes about simplicity, such as that of Leonardo da Vinci, artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance, so famous for his portrait, the Mona Lisa.
The in-depth tool of Gap Analysis is used in business and organisations and detailed templates are accessible online. It enables a review of current performance and compares it to potential and desirable performance and explores routes to achieve it, for example in the practices and processes of a company or organisation, or the functioning of project teams; it may involve skills analysis as part of talent management.
I have chosen to describe and use Gap here in a simple form for use by individuals, for you to identify and action your goal(s) and step(s), taking one step or several to attain your goal. I call it Bridge that Gap or Simple Gap.
What is this Simple or Bridge that Gap tool?
This tool asks 3 straightforward questions:
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to be?
- What step(s) can you take to move you from here to there?
The Simple Gap
This tool is easy and speedy. It may be used to:
- coach others
- coach yourself
- as a stand-alone tool
- as a means to explore the difference between the current and desired situations (the Gap between the two)
- as part of a broader coaching session, which may include an in-depth exploration of the background to issues, self-limiting beliefs, what steps have been taken to date and the results of those steps before using Simple Gap as a focus for decisions and action.
What is the value of simplicity?
The questions are direct and focusing, aimed at producing clear thinking and answers. They encourage clarity; they invite speed.
Therefore the tool in this form is useful in workplace coaching, where time and the coaching interaction is short, whether in a brief coaching session between manager & staff or a chance exchange in the hallway – ‘corridor coaching’.
Corridor coaching
‘Coaching’ often takes place in a brief moment. For example:
Manager: How are you getting on?
Staff: I’m concerned I won’t finish this report in time for the meeting this afternoon
Manager: Where are you now?
Staff: Writing the conclusion, then it needs proof reading & editing
Manager: What could you do to be ready on time?
Staff: I’ll ask a colleague to proof read while I write the conclusion.
Notice that this is a solution to an immediate problem. Broader coaching would ideally explore the reasons for being so close to a deadline, the immediate solution and also what the staff member can do to pre-empt a repeat of this difficulty, such as putting in place time management tools or attending time management training.
Now try Simple Gap for yourself
| Where are you now? | Where do you want to be? | What step(s) will take you there? |
| a)
b) c) d) e) |
I hope that you find completing the Simple Gap tool helpful – and that you enjoy this series of three blogs focussing upon ‘What is Life Coaching?‘.
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