Aspirational Commitment & Identity-Level Change Process Supplementary Guidance (1)
This document provides supplemental guidance for Delphi coaches working within Robert Gladitz’s coaching framework to introduce and navigate Aspirational Commitments (AC) and identity‑level change work. It explains how deeper change can be sparked by signals such as a desire to embody a quality, stop a pattern, or grow into a new way of being, and outlines a flexible, co‑created process adapted from the Immunity‑to‑Change model. The core sequence—Aspirational Commitment, Current Pattern, Protective Function, Competing Commitment, Big Assumption, and Experiments—is presented as a non‑rigid lens that can be entered at any point depending on what the client brings. The guidance stresses asking precise, grounded questions before inferring, distinguishing supportive practices from true experiments (which test Big Assumptions), and pacing the work to match the client’s capacity, regulation state, and readiness. Lightweight entry points, grounding techniques, and a clear table of distinctions help coaches keep the exploration concrete, observable, and developmental rather than speculative or purely motivational.
Topics
Purpose and High Significance of Supplementary Guidance
Explains why this document is essential for Delphi coaches to flexibly and groundedly introduce Aspirational Commitment and identity‑level change within Robert’s coaching process.
Typical Signals that Invite Deeper Identity-Level Exploration
Lists observable client statements and desires (e.g., wanting to embody a quality, stop a pattern) that cue coaches to explore underlying architecture.
Definition, Formulation, and Role of the Aspirational Commitment (AC)
Defines the AC as a 6‑12 month identity‑level direction, shows how it is phrased (“I am committed to…”) and differentiates it from short‑term actions or experiments.
Distinguishing AC, Experiments, and Supportive Practices
Clarifies that supportive practices stabilize the client, while experiments specifically test Big Assumptions; AC alone does not change behavior without deeper work.
Identity-Level Change Process Aligned with Immunity to Change Framework
Outlines the sequence: AC → Current Pattern → Protective Function → Competing Commitments → Big Assumptions → Experiments, noting flexibility to enter at any stage.
Flexible Pacing and Lightweight Entry Points
Guides coaches on when to pause, resume, or use single grounding questions instead of the full framework, respecting client capacity and emotional state.
Grounded Questioning Before Inference
Provides example questions to uncover assumptions and protect against premature interpretation, emphasizing concrete, lived examples.
Core Principle and Essential Distinctions Table
Summarizes the key components—AC, Current Pattern, Competing Commitment, Big Assumption, Supportive Practice, Experiment—and their functional differences.