How Coaching WorksThe 4 Cs Coaching Framework

DesignChange Toolkit for Your Unique Leadership Journey

Leadership coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is my approach. At DesignChange, I use the 4 Cs framework as the foundational structure for every session, combined with diverse coaching methods to support your leadership growth through a flexible, evidence-based process.

With over 3,000 hours of coaching experience, I offer an adaptive approach that fits your individual goals, learning style, and stage of leadership.

The 4 Cs: My Coaching Structure

Every coaching session follows this proven framework:

1. CONTACT – Where every session starts

Our first connection begins with a free 30-minute discovery call.

👉 Schedule a call now link

In this call we explore what’s happening in your world, what goals you’re aiming for, and whether coaching and the two of us are the right fit.

You’ll get an overview of how coaching sessions work, the practical details, and have a chance to ask any questions. This first step builds trust, clarity, and realistic expectations—before any commitment is made.

But Contact doesn’t stop there. At the start of every session, we check in: What’s top of mind today? What’s changed since we last spoke? This ensures each conversation starts with presence, relevance, and clarity.

2. CONTRACT – Setting intention each time we meet

Once we decide to move forward, you’ll receive a simple coaching agreement and payment details.

The contracting session lays the foundation: we clarify your goals and align on how we’ll work together—tailoring the approach to suit your preferences, whether strategic, reflective, creative, or results-driven.

You’ll know exactly what we’re working toward, and how we’ll get there.

And within every session, we revisit this principle: What’s your intention for today’s conversation? What would a meaningful outcome look like? This keeps the session sharply focused on what matters most right now.

3. CONTENT – Where change takes shape

This is the heart of the coaching process.

Each coaching conversation follows the 4 Cs structure, creating a rhythm that supports insight, reflection, and action.

Sessions are practical, thought-provoking, and grounded in your leadership challenges.

Depending on your goals, they may include these coaching methods:

🔔 Want practical tools, insights, and leadership prompts you can apply right away?

👉 Subscribe to the DesignChange Leadership Lab—a twice-monthly email with actionable ideas for better leadership. LINK

4. CONCLUSION – Turning insight into action

We close each session by reflecting: What was most valuable today? What shifted for you? What strengths or values became clearer? You’ll identify your key takeaway and something to carry forward.

Often, a next step will emerge naturally—whether it’s a small task, a journaling prompt, or a coaching experiment between sessions.

When helpful, we integrate AI tools to support your growth between sessions, including my AI Coach Karla.

This ongoing process of concluding ensures that insight becomes action and that each session builds toward your bigger leadership and life goals.

With my structured approach and diverse methods, you won’t just get better at solving today’s problems—you’ll grow into the kind of leader tomorrow demands.

Karla Schlaepfer