How Coaching Can Foster Relatedness, Autonomy, and Competency

How Coaching Can Foster Relatedness, Autonomy, and Competency 

Coaches are deeply curious people, on a journey of growth. Alongside their clients, they seek to gain a deeper understanding of what drives humanity.
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Diving into the science behind human flourishing, we find three fundamental needs identified in Self-Determination Theory (SDT): relatedness, autonomy, and competency. 

Getting all of these needs met is essential for humans to experience psychological growth, integrity, and well-being.

By exploring how professional coaching addresses these three needs, coaches can better equip themselves to create meaningful change in the lives of their clients.

What is Self-Determination Theory?

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a psychological framework developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan in the 1980s. For professional life coaches, SDT is a way to understand the deeper psychological needs that drive both behavior and well-being: relatedness, autonomy, and competency. 

This theory suggests that all humans have these three deep psychological needs that, when met, lead to greater well-being and happiness. These needs are universal, transcending age, culture, and gender.

Relatedness: The need to connect with others and belong to a community.

Autonomy: The need to feel in control of one’s actions and choices.

Competency: The need to feel capable and effective in dealing with the environment.

Why do relatedness, autonomy, and competency matter to coaches? 

By integrating coaching methods with the core principles of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), coaches can more effectively inspire and empower their clients. 

Encouraging Client Autonomy: Coaches who grasp this concept are better equipped to help their clients become self-motivated, which is crucial for enduring change. This means acknowledging the client's ability to guide their own journey and providing support that empowers rather than controls.

Deepening Relationships: There’s a deep importance in forming solid, trusting relationships between coaches and clients. These relationships create a safe space for clients to openly explore sensitive aspects of their lives, fostering genuine connection and understanding.

Building Competence: Through setting appropriate goals, enhancing skills, and providing constructive feedback, coaches contribute to building their clients' competence. This is key for maintaining their motivation and engagement in both personal and professional spheres.

By catering to the three fundamental needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—coaches can support a more all-encompassing development that enriches clients' personal satisfaction, professional success, and overall psychological health.

Fostering Relatedness

Relatedness refers to the need for connection and belonging with others. 

In a coaching context, this looks like creating a safe and trusting environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. Coaches can foster relatedness by practicing active listening, expressing empathy, and being present in each moment with the client. (All of these are competencies valued by the International Coaching Federation!)

The need to belong is a fundamental human feeling, which means that the quality of our relationships can significantly impact our psychological health.

In practice, coaches can enhance relatedness by:

Building rapport: Taking the time to get to know the client, their values, and their worldviews.

Validating feelings: Acknowledging the client's emotions without judgment, which reinforces their sense of security.

Creating partnership: Engaging clients as collaborators in their journey enhances their sense of connection.

Cultivating Autonomy

Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one’s own behaviors and goals. 

This doesn't mean isolation but rather the feeling of control over your own life and choices.

In coaching, supporting autonomy means helping clients identify their own values and goals, and encouraging them to take ownership of their personal and professional growth. 

Coaches can cultivate autonomy by:

Encouraging self-discovery: Guiding clients to explore their motivations, desires, and dreams.

Providing choices: Offering clients options in how they might achieve their goals, which reinforces their sense of control.

Supporting client-led decision-making: Empowering clients to make decisions that align with their values and insights.

Enhancing Competency

Competency involves feeling effective and capable of achieving desired outcomes. This need is met in coaching through setting achievable goals, celebrating progress, and providing constructive feedback that helps clients refine their skills and strategies. 

To enhance competency, coaches can:

Set clear, achievable goals: Helping clients set and achieve small, measurable goals builds their sense of efficacy.

Provide feedback and resources: Offering specific feedback and additional resources can help clients improve their skills and understanding.

Celebrate successes: Recognizing and celebrating client achievements boosts their confidence and reinforces their growth trajectory.

Professional coaching is more than guiding someone through life's challenges. In full bloom, it's about empowering individuals to connect deeply with themselves and others, steer their own lives with joy, and to use their own skills to achieve their full potential.

Curious about becoming a coach?

At Lumia, our coaches transcend societal norms, choosing instead to forge paths defined by their personal truths. Are you prepared to unlock your full potential? If you're seeking a collaborator on your transformative journey, explore Lumia Life Coach Training.

Our program, accredited by the ICF and rooted in scientific principles, boasts genuine instructors, a comprehensive curriculum, and business guidance to set the stage for your success.

Lumia Coach Training: Dynamic community. Research-backed training for life coaches. Support for your entire coaching career.