Violet Zone: Violating the Coaching Code of Ethics
The outer, violet ring of the Navigation System, represents violation of the International Coaching Federation's Code of Ethics, which is the standard for all coaches with regard to conduct at large, conflicts of interest, professional conduct with clients, confidentiality, and privacy. The code is nonnegotiable, and violation of the code is completely unacceptable. Visit CoachingFederation.org to review the code of ethics in its entirety.
The same rules apply to educator codes of ethics found in every state.
Red Zone: Being directive and giving advice
The next circle in the Navigation System is the red zone, which represents being directive and giving advice. Resisting giving advice and answers empowers others to think, act, and achieve. Admittedly, others will notice that we are responding differently and may tempt us to return to our typical behavior of supplying answers. When we hear pushback (e.g., "just tell me what to do"), we simply acknowledge to ourselves that this is a trap of hardwiring on both sides and recommit to the coach-like behaviors of the Navigation System
Yellow Zone: Offering options and teaching
Now we move to yellow area, which represents caution while offering options and teaching. Just like a yellow traffic signal, this zone tells us not to stop but to slow down and be careful about our choices and what we say. There are moments when a concept or strategy might support the other person, and a good coach weighs the pros and cons of offering these options.
Blue-Green Zone: Coaching Zone
The Coaching Zone, which fades from blue to green. It encompasses everything we want to focus on, do, and practice as we improve our identity as coach leaders. In this zone, there are no warning signals, flashers, or emergency alarms. This area is the heart of the Navigation System, where everything is running at top-notch speed, results are evident, and there is movement from one goal to another.