Summit Consulting L.L.C

The Sherpa Movement

Before leaping into the description of the process, it is critical to understand the training each Sherpa experiences to maintain their professional obligation to the client. It is called the “Sherpa Stance” having four components established as “P” questions:

Is it precise? This question means is it grounded solidly as a problem or is it a symptom or feeling? If it is not a clearly definable problem, there is no room to take the discussion forward.

Is it personal? If it is personal and cannot be addressed back to the business problem, a different type of intervention is required

Is it in the present tense? Sherpa’s must deal with the client in the present and future tense…not the past.

Is it possible? In other words, if there is a change in the client’s behavior, will it alter positively the problem meaningfully?

The Sherpa Process

The Sherpa Process is not smatterings of random intuitions or speculations. Rather, it is a robust and controlled series of activities each of which depends on the client’s successful completion of the previous activity. At a very high level, the spine of the process is formed in six distinct phases.

Taking Stock:

In this phase, the client learns the ground rules of the engagement, gives them some indication of the upcoming effort required and possible implications of the behavioral changes.

It is also the period where the client will go through an in-depth self assessment and several evaluations which clarify the client’s strengths, weaknesses, talents and motives. Most importantly, the client will learn “Why It Matters”.

Global View:

During this phase, it is a review of the total support environment around the client. That is, who are the people, the places, the things that have an impact on the client.

During this time, the client will learn to gather insights as to the reality of how people view them versus their own perceptions.

The reality check here can be quite a difficult hurdle where the coach will be important to help the client reconcile misperceptions with reality. What are the client’s values and what are their primary drivers.

The Destination:

By now, the client has recognized with a level of clarity what critical behavioral changes are required. Altering these behaviors is another matter.

Within the Sherpa Process, there are ten alternative paths (split equally between relational paths and organizational paths) which can be utilized to reach the Summit. They are well defined and intended to address the underlying behavioral issues in different ways through multiple assessments available at different points along the journey.

Charting the Course:

In this Phase, some of the hardest work must take place. The path has been chosen, the assessments planned and the journal will become a critical tool for the client and the coach. Ultimately, these are galvanized into an action plan for behavioral change.

The Agenda:

With an action plan in place, it is imperative for the client to commit to the plan. This is a long term commitment to change and how to sustain that change once the coaching engagement has ended. The measure of success in this phase will be the level of accountability the client feels. A crucial part of the Sherpa Process is how to guide the Client in a way to make this long term commitment a reality.

The Summit:

It has been an arduous journey, in most cases approximately twelve weeks to accomplish. Thus, it is now a time of celebration. It is also a time to ensure that the Support and Follow-up Infrastructures are in place and ready. Go back to the Global View and review with the Support individuals identified the behavioral changes being sought by the client. Ensure they will be prepared to help the client follow-up on the plan.

The second major leg of the Follow-up is the Client Journal. The client needs to review it on a regular basis. And, at this juncture, the expectations between the Sherpa and the client are defined and agreed upon.

Now, back to the celebration

Marshall Goldsmith

Marshall Goldsmith, world's leading executive coach and best-selling business author, endorses the Sherpa Coaching Process. Visit Marshall Goldsmith for more information.