Value-Oriented Coaching According to the St. Gallen Model
Values describe internal and external states for individuals that provide direction and stability. Value-oriented coaching aligns with this principle, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of change processes.
Values Create Meaning
Values are of central importance to human life. They form the foundation of society. All norms, traditions, rituals, and laws that govern coexistence are based on them. Besides general value concepts, there are personal values that are deemed desirable in individual expression and form the basis of one’s worldview. A fundamental human need is to perceive life as worth living. Experiencing oneself as valuable, feeling that it is good to exist, and being appreciated, is the foundation of all personal values and gives life meaning.
The Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl categorizes our values into three groups:
Attitude values such as love, respect, trust, and gratitude define the valuable attitudes (stances) we hold in situations that cannot be changed. The strength of consciously chosen acceptance allows us to endure and manage very difficult situations. Creative values encompass everything we believe we can create, build, make, or learn that is valuable, such as careers, relationships, children, money, or knowledge. Experience values are the feelings that arise from our creative values, such as joy, security, satisfaction, happiness, success, and recognition. The prerequisites for the emergence of experience values are conscious perception, experience, and mindfulness.
Research has shown that most people align their lives with their creative values—they strive for social status. In doing so, they fail to recognize their experience and attitude values. However, leading a “happy” life requires a balance and integration of value categories. Living consciously according to one’s own and collectively defined values leads to greater satisfaction and less stress.
Developing Values for a Better Quality of Life
Long-term lack of values or value violations can lead to psychological and physical discomfort. Therefore, it is important to recognize, follow, and embody personal values. Especially during change processes, personal values serve as an inner compass that often unconsciously guides our decisions. Our actions are not primarily goal-oriented. The goals we set serve merely to increase our important values or avoid value violations. Value-oriented coaching takes these relationships into account.
Systemic, Holistic Approach
In systemic coaching, the client is not seen in isolation with their issue (problem/concern) but in the context of their family of origin, partnerships, their circle of friends or acquaintances, as well as professional systems such as companies, training, teams, or colleagues. It is assumed that we are in constant interaction with other people and systems, and dynamic exchanges between private and professional environments exist. Systemic coaching makes clients aware that everything is interconnected, and changes always lead to changes elsewhere. When we change, we alter the entire system. In looking to the future, it not only considers what needs to be done but also what consequences might arise from inaction. Involving all relevant systems in the change process can help the coachee become aware of typical behavioral patterns that recur with the problem, as well as open new goal-oriented action possibilities. In the systemic holistic approach to the coachee’s concerns, not only the potentially superficial or short-term goal of the client is developed, but also possible underlying (meta-)goals, needs, and potential side effects (disadvantages of the goal). Systemic coaching always focuses on the existing resources and strengths of the client. The (re)activation and strengthening of abilities play a significant role in this process.
The St. Gallen Coaching Model is a highly efficient systemic coaching method that promotes development at the identity level and the awareness of personal values, regardless of context. The clear focus on these values creates a proven high level of effectiveness and sustainability in the development process desired by the client.
(Text Dr. Peter Engel, Coaching Academy)