What is Effectiveness Coaching Model?

Sukjae Lee Ph.D.

Creator of the Effectiveness Coaching Methodology

2025. 11. 30

 

The ABC framework for Effectiveness Coaching, the 3S-FORM Model, and the Cognitive Strategy are specifically designed to be integrated, forming the core of the broader "Effectiveness Coaching Methodology." The Effectiveness Coaching Model" creates a powerful, structured approach that connects behavioral analysis (ABC) with an internal growth engine (3S), a practical coaching process (FORM), and an enabler (Cognitive strategy).

 

I. Integrated Model: ABC-3S-FORM

 

The integrated framework works by:

1. Using the ABC Framework for a Behavioral Analysis of a specific challenge.
2. Utilizing the 3S (Self-Awareness, Self-Talk, Self-Reflection) as the Internal Growth Engine to drive change in the coachee's internal beliefs and actions.
3. Employing the FORM (Feedback, Opportunity, Reframe, Move forward) as the Coaching Process structure, which guides the conversation toward action.
4. Enhancing all of this with the Four Cognitive Strategies to strengthen the coachee's internal capacity for change.

1. The Core Behavioral Analysis: ABC Framework

The ABC framework connects an observable situation to a result, which then directs the coaching focus.

• A: Antecedent / Need for Change (Trigger): What happened before the behavior?
  • Coaching Goal: Clarify the specific situation, context, or trigger that leads to the problem behavior. This defines the Need for Change.
• B: Critical Behavior (Action): The specific, observable action or lack of action the client takes.
  • Coaching Goal: Precisely define the behavior that needs to be modified or acquired. This is the Critical Behavior.
• C: Effective Results (Consequence): The outcome or result that follows the behavior.
  • Coaching Goal: Analyze the current (often ineffective) consequences and define the desired Effective Results.

2. The Central Framework: 3S-FORM

The 3S-FORM model defines the respective roles for the coachee (3S) and the coach (FORM), ensuring change is driven internally by the client but structured externally by the coach.

3S: The Coachee's Inner Growth Engine (Internal Drivers)

These are the cognitive processes the coachee must actively engage in, often supported by the coach's use of the Four Cognitive Strategies.

• Self-Awareness: Objectively understanding one's own strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and behavioral patterns (e.g., how their current Beliefs influence B and C in the ABC model).
• Self-Talk: The internal dialogue that influences mindset, motivation, and behavior. This is a critical point for replacing irrational beliefs with rational ones.
• Self-Reflection: The process of critically evaluating past and present experiences (A-B-C cycles) to learn and plan improvements for the future.

FORM: The Coach's Process Framework (External Structure)

This provides the structure for the coaching conversation.

• Feedback: Aligning on the desired Effective Results (C) and the Need for Change (A). What is the goal?
• Oppotunity: Exploring potential strategies, new skills, and choices for the Critical Behavior (B). What can you do differently?
• Reframe: Shifting old perspective, newly assessing the current situation, and identifying internal (3S-driven) and external resources. What is the situation, and what do you have to work with?
• Move forward: Developing concrete next steps and committing to implementing the new Critical Behavior (B) to achieve the Effective Results (C).

3. The Enablers: Four Cognitive Strategies

Your four cognitive strategies—Discovering Strengths, Expanding Perspective, Deepening Insight, and Fostering Self-Acceptance—act as the enabling activities a coach uses throughout the FORM process to activate and enhance the coachee's 3S (Self-Awareness, Self-Talk, Self-Reflection).

 

Cognitive Strategy	Primary Effect on 3S & ABC
Discovering Strengths	Enhances Self-Awareness and positive Self-Talk by identifying existing resources that can be used in the new Critical Behavior (B).
Expanding Perspective	Enhances Self-Reflection and challenges limiting Self-Talk by exploring alternative views of the Antecedent (A) or the Consequence (C).
Deepening Insight	Promotes profound Self-Awareness and Self-Reflection into the underlying beliefs and motivations linking A → B → C.
Fostering Self-Acceptance	Supports healthy Self-Talk by neutralizing self-judgment related to past consequences, freeing the coachee to commit to new actions (M in FORM).

 

II. Unified Coaching Flow

 

The coaching process flows cyclically:

1. Diagnosis: Use ABC to identify the current A→B→C cycle (Trigger → Behavior → Result).
2. Goal Setting: Set a goal for the new desired Effective Results (C).
3. Coaching Session (FORM): Structure the session using FORM.
   • Throughout FORM, the coach strategically deploys the Four Cognitive Strategies to activate the coachee's 3S (Inner Growth Engine).
4. Behavioral Change: The activated 3S drives the coachee to define and implement the new Critical Behavior (B).
5. Evaluation: Re-evaluate the new A→Bnew​→Cnew​ cycle and continue the process until the goal is achieved.

 

References

Lee, Sukjae (2006). Develop 18 Core Leadership Competencies. Seoul: Kim & Kim Books.

Lee, Sukjae (2014). Effectiveness Coaching by a Business Psychologist. Seoul: Kim & Kim Books.

Lee, Sukjae (2019). Thought Revolution That Changes My Life. Seoul: Wildbooks.

Lee, Sukjae (2020). Coaching Methodology. Seoul: Korea Coaching Supervision.

Lee, Sukjae (2020). How to Use a Wandering Mind. Seoul: Plan B Design.

Lee, Sukjae (2023). Field-Focused Coaching Psychology. Seoul: Hakjisa.

Lee, Sukjae (2024). Coaching Psychology Class for Boosting Execution. Seoul: Hakjisa.

Lee, Sukjae (2024). Thinking Partner. Gyeonggi: Moa Books.

Lee, Sukjae & Lee, Jongseo (2025). Perspective Shifting. Seoul: Parkyoungstory.