Beyond the Checklist: Mapping the "Invisible" Moments of Coaching Success

As coaches, we are often hyper-focused on our own performance: Did I ask a powerful enough question? Was I fully present? While the ICF Core Competencies are the gold standard of our profession, they represent only one side of the coin—the side describing what the coach does.

But what is happening within the client’s inner world? What does it actually look like when a "stuck" story begins to transform into a new, empowered reality?

In my latest research published in the Journal of Constructivist Psychology, I explore how integrating the Innovative Moments (IM) framework can redefine our understanding of quality in coaching.

The Science of "Narrative Innovation"

From a constructivist standpoint, change in coaching is not just about hitting a goal; it is an act of personal innovation. By tracking a client’s dialogue, we can see them "re-authoring" their narrative through three distinct levels of progression:

Level 1: Challenging the Old Story. The client begins to notice cracks in their "problem narrative" (e.g., Joe, who initially believed his inconsistency was inevitable).
Level 2: Empowerment & Contrasts. These are moments of "cautious pride" where the client clearly sees the difference between their old and new self-positions.
Level 3: Meta-Repositioning. The highest level of change, where the client understands the mechanism of their own transformation and takes full responsibility for their future.

Competencies as "Scaffolding"

The study illustrates that our competencies act as scaffolding for these innovative moments. For example:

Evoking Awareness isn't just a technique; it is the scaffold that allows a client to bridge the gap between their current and future self.
Cultivating Trust and Safety provides the safe environment needed for a client to experiment with new, "cautious" self-positions.
Facilitating Client Growth allows the coach to partner with the client to consolidate these micro-shifts into a permanent meta-reflection.

Why This Matters for the Future of Coaching

In an era where AI can handle routine tasks, our human ability to co-create narrative shifts is our greatest competitive advantage. By understanding the moment-to-moment interplay between competency and innovation, we move beyond the "checklist" and into the realm of truly transformative quality.

Redefining quality as a shift in the client's self-positioning—rather than just a list of coach behaviors—is the next frontier for professional coaches, mentors, and supervisors.