5 Stages of the CLEAR Coaching Model Template for Leaders
Nour
Founder, Coachful
Using a structured clear coaching model template gives executive and leadership coaches an alternative to purely task-driven frameworks. Developed by Professor Peter Hawkins in the early 1980s, the CLEAR model is widely praised for facilitating deeper emotional and cultural shifts than traditional problem-solving models.
CLEAR stands for Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action, and Review. It places special emphasis on establishing a collaborative psychological contract before jumping into tactical remedies. Structure your leadership agreements with our free coaching agreement tool.
The 5 stages of the CLEAR coaching model framework
| CLEAR stage | Core focus | Key coach behavior | Sample prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Contracting | Establish scope and ground rules | Align on boundaries and session goals | What do you want to accomplish, and how should we work together today? |
| 2. Listening | Active hearing and empathy | Reflect emotional undercurrents | It sounds like you are carrying immense responsibility for this team outcome. |
| 3. Exploring | Investigate patterns and beliefs | Challenge underlying mental models | What beliefs about leadership are making delegation feel dangerous to you? |
| 4. Action | Formulate sustainable steps | Facilitate client-driven decisions | What is the immediate experiment you are willing to run this week? |
| 5. Review | Evaluate learning and process | Reflect on what worked in the session | What was most helpful about our conversation today, and what could be improved? |
Stage 1: Contracting the scope, psychological safety, and goals
In the CLEAR model, Contracting is not merely a legal signature; it is an active conversational agreement made at the start of every single call. You agree on the specific focus, the coaching style desired, and the boundary parameters.
Ask the client directly: "What do you want to accomplish today, and what role do you want me to play during our exploration?" This establishes whether the client desires provocative challenge, strategic brainstorming, or quiet empathetic presence.
- Explicit session contracts: Clarifies whether the client wants a sounding board or direct challenge.
- Safety container: Re-establishes confidentiality before vulnerable topics are discussed.
Stage 2: Deep empathetic Listening and somatic attunement
Listening in the Hawkins framework requires whole-body attention. The coach does not formulate responses while the client speaks, but instead tunes into vocal tone, breathing shifts, and what is conspicuously left unsaid.
Notice physical posture shifts: when a client slumps or quickens their speech, pause the narrative and reflect what you observe: "I noticed your voice softened when you mentioned your business partner. What was happening internally just then?"
- Somatic attunement: Observes body language and vocal pacing for emotional clues.
- Non-judgmental mirroring: Reflecting feelings validates client vulnerability and dissolves defensiveness.
Stage 3: Exploring the emotional and cognitive landscapes
Exploring goes deeper than the Reality stage of GROW. Rather than merely cataloging external facts, the coach examines internal values, personal identity, and organizational system dynamics.
Ask: "Who do you believe you need to be in order for your board to respect you?" Learn how to build structured packages with our coaching package pricing strategy.
- Systemic inquiry: Analyzes how team dynamics and corporate incentives impact the individual.
- Uncovers hidden loyalties: Examines unconscious habits formed early in an executive career.
Stage 4: Designing sustainable Action as behavioral experiments
Action in the CLEAR framework is treated as a behavioral experiment rather than a rigid punitive assignment. The client tests a new behavior in the workplace and observes the resulting data.
Frame commitments as low-risk trials: "What small micro-experiment can you run with your leadership team this Tuesday to test this new delegation boundary?" Framing action as an experiment dramatically lowers fear of failure.
- Experimental mindset: Frames action steps as low-risk tests to reduce anxiety.
- Boundary definition: Clarifies exactly what behavior will be tested and when.
Stage 5: Conducting mutual Review and reinforcing learning
The Review stage closes the loop by inviting feedback on the coaching dynamic itself. Rather than rushing off the call, the coach pauses for five minutes to evaluate the process.
Ask: "What was most valuable about our conversation today, and how can I support you even more effectively in our next session?" Review our handling coaching objections guide for sales alignment.
- Iterative feedback: Ensures the coaching relationship evolves and strengthens over time.
- Consolidates learning: Encourages the client to verbalize their takeaways before ending the call.
Frequently asked questions about clear coaching model template
When should a coach choose CLEAR over the GROW model?
Choose CLEAR when working on complex leadership development, team culture, or deep emotional patterns where quick mechanical solutions fail to address systemic issues.
Who created the CLEAR coaching model?
Professor Peter Hawkins introduced the CLEAR framework in the 1980s while leading the Centre for Supervision and Team Development in the United Kingdom.
Why is the Review stage so critical in CLEAR?
The Review stage reinforces reflective learning, helping clients integrate insights while providing the coach with continuous feedback to calibrate their approach.
Can the CLEAR model be used for team coaching?
Yes. Hawkins specifically designed CLEAR to function across both one-on-one executive engagements and complex multi-stakeholder team coaching environments.
Integrating a clear coaching model template into your practice elevates your work from short-term troubleshooting to sustainable leadership transformation. Clear contracting and reflection build profound trust.
Coachful provides the centralized client portals, digital agreements, and automated session forms required to run high-level coaching engagements. Experience the Coachful platform today.
