Category: Psychological Dimension

The article is based on a dialog between a mentor and a behavioral coach who desires to learn to think developmentally. After an introduction on coaching focused on clients’ Frame of Reference, the four individual dialogs deal with the three aspects of human capability, the nature of developmental scores, the nature of behavioral “need-press” scores, and the synthesis of CDF data for use in coaching practice. Laske 2007 Mentoring a Behavioral Coach to  Think Developmentally   Read More...

This course introduces students to a widely acclaimed, holistic perspective on both individuals and teams. It is an overview course focused the three perspectives in which CDF-users view clients: the social-emotional, cognitive, and psychological one. Insight into these dimensions stems from decades of validated research since the 1970s but has not been widely taught in a unified fashion. In the course, emphasis is placed as well on the interrelationships between the three dimensions since they closely interact in coaching as well as consulting. Based on this course, students become eligible for all other CDF courses. Read more Read More...

In CDF, a person’s psychological profile is determined by evaluating answers to Morris Aderman’s Need/Press Questionnaire, a construct-validated questionnaire used in talent management, performance management, and promotion since 1970. The questionnaire is available on line in English, German, French, and Spanish (www.needpress.com). Questionnaire outcomes ideally complement social-emotional insight deriving from semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire embodies Henry Murray’s personality theory which is based on the notion of psychogenic (inborn) needs and associated pressures as defining a individual’s personality. In NP, clients’ profile is viewed in terms of three foci: self concept, approach to tasks, and interpersonal perspective (emotional intelligence.). Discussing these behavioural clusters in class tremendously helps students distinguish between what is “social-emotional” (developmental) and “psychological” in their own and in clients’ behavior and way of working with others. Students learn to make fine behavioral distinctions and observations; they also learn how to give appropriate and complex feedback to clients, weaving psychological insights into feedback on clients’ present social-emotional frame of reference. In CDF, a person’s psychological profile is viewed as the “glue” that holds his/her competences together, and also as a filter through which adult developmental resources pass on their way to inform the use of competences. In this course,... Read More...

This program serves the sole purpose of deepening practical know-how of CDF by bringing together all of its three dimensions. Consequently, it presupposes both a social-emotional and cognitive case study as well as the ability to evaluate and give feedback on the outcome of the Need/Press Questionnaire. The program offers students the opportunity to show themselves and others that they have not only mastered “developmental theory”, but also know how to use it in practice.   Writing a second case study involves: Completing a 1-hr social-emotional and 1-hr cognitive interview with a client other than the person engaged in Case Study I (a+b) Transcribing both interviews into English for discussion in the study cohort Evaluating the outcome of the psychological Need/Press Questionnaire Selecting from the social-emotional interview 15, from the cognitive interview 30 short fragments that appear to be structurally relevant for determining developmental profile Presenting a coding sheet of these fragments for each transcribed interview, to be evaluated by the cohort together with the instructor Submitting all materials required for written case study to the Director of Education Attending a feedback session with the Director of Education Giving full feedback to the client, both for self-insight and coaching Read... Read More...