The term Locus of Control, a coaching model and me

May 20, 2020 I thought I would take a look back and document how I arrived at the coaching model with the acronym LIVE.R. I hope it will be food for thought for the coach, the coachee, and for any reader interested in improving self-awareness.

2005 I am a student in the postgraduate program in Human Resources Management at the Athens University of Economics and Business. This is the first time I hear the term Locus of Control.[1] in the Organizational Psychology course. I fill out the relevant questionnaire, read and begin to understand myself, regarding my attitude towards everything that happens in my life. Is it the result of a higher power and luck or is it due to my own choices and decisions?;

2013 I am training as a coach and I am re-reading about Locus of Control, which in psychology is considered an important aspect of personality.

2016 I am a certified coach and I am giving a presentation on coaching to students of the Department of Communication, Media and Culture of Panteion University. At the end of the presentation, I am asked by a student if I have my own coaching model and if I am thinking of creating one. I answer that I do not and I want to create my own coaching model. I know that there are a multitude of models. Thoughts such as, what else could a coaching model offer to the coaching community? How can I create a model that makes it easier for the coachee to reflect and take action? The existing models cover these aspects, they remain thoughts.

2018 I work as a trainer and human resources coach in a large banking organization. I am attending the Learning & Development Conference, in Maroussi. The moment one of the guest speakers mentions the term Locus of Control, I have a moment of flashback. I don't remember anything else from the speech, except that, almost automatically, I noted in my notebook the following words in vertical alignment:

Locus of Control

OObserve the Impact

Visualize the Future

Empowerment (Empowerment)

From that day on, I start to work on my own Coaching model. I discuss it with my Supervisor (who adds the R at the end), I write down the questions I could ask for each letter of the acronym. I recall previous sessions with my coachees and think, what would it be like if I applied this model? I try out some questions in the sessions. I do some research on the internet and find that there are other models with the acronym LOVE.

I changed it several times, until it took the form it has today: LIVE. R[2]. I test with my coachees in sessions, actively listen to their constructive feedback and make appropriate adjustments.

2019 This is how I create my own coaching model and fulfill one of my goals as a coach. Is it a result of luck or my own choice?;

I would be happy if you could tell me what you think about your goals and what is happening in your life? Where is your Locus of Control?; 

Good luck in everything you do!!

[1] The idea was developed by American psychologist Jullian B Rotter. For more information visit the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_of_control

[2] LIVE. R is the acronym formed from the initial letters of the English words: Locus of Control, Impact, Vision, Empowerment, Review. The coaching model is presented in detail in my book “Coaching in Practice”, iWrite publications, 2019, in chapter 7, pp.: 151-162 and in appendix 7. In appendix 8 there is the questionnaire for identifying the Locus of Control.