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The SHIFT Framework

Transcript-detectable coaching framework with 3 patterns and 3 anti-patterns per principle. Each block is evidence-backed and includes a concrete example.

Version 1.2
S Surface Emotion H Hand Back Ownership I Illuminate Contradictions F Find the Pattern T Turn Insight into Action

S – Surface Emotion

Notice, name, and validate client emotions when they arise.

Excellence Patterns

Why This Matters

Empathic reflection strengthens alliance and deepens exploration.

When Applied

Client feels validated and safe.

When Not Applied

Client feels unseen; shuts down emotionally.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel overwhelmed." Coach: "That overwhelm sounds really heavy for you."
Why This Matters

Direct inquiry promotes emotional literacy.

When Applied

Client names and processes feelings.

When Not Applied

Emotion remains vague and unprocessed.

Example Scenario
Client: "I don’t know why I’m stuck." Coach: "What feelings are coming up as you say that?"
Why This Matters

Tone attunement signals empathy and safety.

When Applied

Trust builds; deeper disclosure occurs.

When Not Applied

Conversation feels mechanical or distant.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’m devastated." Coach (gentle tone): "That devastation sounds painful."

Growth Opportunities

Why This Matters

Interrupts processing and signals discomfort.

When This Happens

Client processes fully and learns.

When Avoided

Client feels dismissed.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel crushed." Coach: "Okay, so what’s on your agenda next week?"
Why This Matters

Avoidance teaches suppression of data.

When This Happens

Safe disclosure emerges.

When Avoided

Alliance weakens.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’m angry with my boss." Coach: "Let’s talk about your workload timeline."
Why This Matters

Misses affective core of the statement.

When This Happens

Client feels validated.

When Avoided

Client feels unseen.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’m heartbroken." Coach: "So you had a tough meeting."

H – Hand Back Ownership

Return agency to the client by letting them define direction and next steps.

Excellence Patterns

Why This Matters

Invites autonomy and accountability.

When Applied

Client owns action.

When Not Applied

Coach dependency grows.

Example Scenario
Coach: "What decision feels right to you?"
Why This Matters

Autonomy-supportive framing boosts motivation.

When Applied

Self-efficacy grows.

When Not Applied

Client defers decisions to coach.

Example Scenario
Coach: "It’s your choice which step you take first."
Why This Matters

Evocation yields stickier solutions.

When Applied

Client creativity increases.

When Not Applied

Solutions imposed externally.

Example Scenario
Client: "I don’t know what to try." Coach: "What options have you considered already?"

Growth Opportunities

Why This Matters

Undermines exploration.

When This Happens

Self-directed action.

When Avoided

Compliance, not ownership.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’m not sure what to do." Coach: "You should start with journaling."
Why This Matters

Substitutes coach’s agenda.

When This Happens

Authentic client goals.

When Avoided

Misaligned goals, weak motivation.

Example Scenario
Client: "I want to feel balanced." Coach: "So your goal is to meditate daily."
Why This Matters

Reduces ownership.

When This Happens

Client innovates actively.

When Avoided

Client follows passively.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel stuck." Coach: "Here’s the process you need to follow."
Supporting Research
Whitmore – GROW model

I – Illuminate Contradictions

Spot and reflect inconsistencies, limiting beliefs, or avoidance in the client’s language.

Excellence Patterns

Why This Matters

Surfacing contradictions creates cognitive dissonance that catalyzes reflection and choice.

When Applied

Client notices hidden conflicts and finds clarity.

When Not Applied

Contradictions persist; indecision and stagnation follow.

Example Scenario
Client: "I want to take risks but I also can’t handle uncertainty." Coach: "I hear that you want to take risks, yet uncertainty feels intolerable. How do you see those fitting together?"
Why This Matters

Linking values and behavior helps clients align actions with deeper purpose.

When Applied

Motivation grows through value alignment.

When Not Applied

Misalignment undermines satisfaction and progress.

Example Scenario
Client: "Family is my top priority, but I always stay late at the office." Coach: "I notice your actions around work may not align with your stated priority of family. What do you make of that?"
Why This Matters

Approaching avoided material opens space for breakthroughs.

When Applied

Client integrates shadow aspects; more freedom of choice.

When Not Applied

Avoidance persists; cycles repeat.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’d rather not talk about how my team reacted." Coach: "I hear some hesitation — what feels difficult about looking at their reaction?"

Growth Opportunities

Why This Matters

Missed contradictions allow ambivalence to persist.

When This Happens

Tensions are explored and resolved.

When Avoided

Client remains conflicted and stuck.

Example Scenario
Client: "I value honesty, but I haven’t told my partner about my plans." Coach: "Okay, let’s move on to your project timeline."
Why This Matters

Dodging discomfort weakens growth potential.

When This Happens

Client faces reality and grows through it.

When Avoided

Session remains shallow; insight limited.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel like a fraud at work." Coach: "Well, let’s talk about your goals for the quarter."
Why This Matters

Premature reassurance reduces awareness of growth edge.

When This Happens

Contradictions lead to reflection and change.

When Avoided

Issues stay unexamined; no shift occurs.

Example Scenario
Client: "I want to step up as a leader but I hate conflict." Coach: "Don’t worry, you’ll get better at it naturally."

F – Find the Pattern

Name meaningful themes or behavioral loops visible within the session.

Excellence Patterns

Why This Matters

Spotting recurring themes simplifies complexity and creates leverage for change.

When Applied

Client recognizes bigger picture patterns shaping behavior.

When Not Applied

Session remains fragmented; same issues re-emerge.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel stressed at work… at home it’s the same, I’m always stressed." Coach: "I notice stress shows up as a recurring theme across contexts."
Why This Matters

Pointing out the driver helps the client see why behaviors repeat.

When Applied

Client gains clarity on what truly motivates them.

When Not Applied

Hidden drivers unconsciously steer behavior.

Example Scenario
Client: "I always end up taking on too much work." Coach: "It seems a strong value of responsibility is driving this pattern."
Why This Matters

Meta-framing creates distance from the immediate story and fosters flexibility.

When Applied

Client sees options; expands perspective.

When Not Applied

Client stays stuck in the weeds of one narrative.

Example Scenario
Client: "I keep failing at presentations." Coach: "I hear a broader pattern of self-criticism around performance moments."

Growth Opportunities

Why This Matters

Parroting validates but doesn’t generate new insight.

When This Happens

New insight emerges from synthesis.

When Avoided

Conversation stays shallow and repetitive.

Example Scenario
Client: "I feel overwhelmed with deadlines." Coach: "So you’re overwhelmed with deadlines."
Why This Matters

Avoiding themes misses the structure in the client’s story.

When This Happens

Coach highlights leverage points for change.

When Avoided

Coach and client chase symptoms endlessly.

Example Scenario
Client (several times): "I’m overwhelmed… I’m always busy." Coach: "So, what’s your project this week?"
Why This Matters

Pure reactivity limits the ability to see the bigger system at play.

When This Happens

Session connects dots; new possibilities appear.

When Avoided

Client leaves with little new understanding.

Example Scenario
Client: "I missed another deadline, I don’t know why." Coach: "So what’s the next deadline?"

T – Turn Insight into Action

Help the client turn reflection into clear, specific, and committed next steps.

Excellence Patterns

Why This Matters

Client-authored actions are more relevant and sustainable.

When Applied

Client leaves session with practical, owned steps.

When Not Applied

Insight doesn’t translate to real-world progress.

Example Scenario
Coach: "What’s one specific action you’ll take this week to put this into practice?"
Why This Matters

Specificity boosts clarity, accountability, and execution.

When Applied

Progress is easier to track and celebrate.

When Not Applied

Commitments stay vague; low follow-through.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’ll try to communicate better." Coach: "How will you measure that? For example, how many times will you check in with your team this week?"
Why This Matters

Reflecting back consolidates memory, learning, and accountability.

When Applied

Commitments are remembered and acted on.

When Not Applied

Client forgets or downplays commitments.

Example Scenario
Coach: "So you’ve decided to have that conversation with your manager by Thursday — and to prepare three talking points."

Growth Opportunities

Why This Matters

Without steps, insights decay and fail to materialize.

When This Happens

Momentum builds; behavior shifts.

When Avoided

Session feels good but produces no change.

Example Scenario
Client: "This was a great session." Coach: "Glad it helped, see you next week."
Why This Matters

Aha moments alone don’t ensure transformation.

When This Happens

Insights anchor into behavior.

When Avoided

Client feels inspired but change fades.

Example Scenario
Client: "I realize I’ve been avoiding tough conversations." Coach: "That’s a powerful insight. Let’s wrap up here."
Why This Matters

Externally imposed steps lack ownership and reduce persistence.

When This Happens

Client takes full ownership of chosen actions.

When Avoided

Client complies briefly but disengages long-term.

Example Scenario
Client: "I’m not sure what to do." Coach: "You should set up three meetings by Friday."