Elephants in Main Street’s Cognitive Experiential Model emphasises the integration of cognitive skills with real-world experiences to cultivate leaders who think and act with deep insight and agility. 

This model serves as a roadmap for coaching that transforms leaders by progressively developing their ability to access higher levels of thought, aligning with Bloom’s Taxonomy, which parallels the gears of critical thinking.

The Gears of Cognitive Growth:

1. REMEMBER (1st gear): The foundation where leaders build a repository of knowledge and data. While this level is necessary, the Elephants in Main Street approach stresses that it is only the starting point. Coaching encourages leaders to use these facts not just for recall but as a platform for deeper inquiry.

2. UNDERSTAND (2nd gear): Moving beyond memory leaders learn to articulate their knowledge and explain it with clarity. Many leaders stay at this level due to the comfort of operational familiarity. The Elephants in Main Street method leverages experiential coaching to help leaders transition from understanding to actionable insights, demonstrating that knowledge without application limits growth.

3. APPLY (3rd gear): Knowledge is activated in practical scenarios. Coaching under the Cognitive Experiential Model immerses leaders in real-life challenges where they must implement what they know. This experiential aspect bridges theory and practice, fostering adaptive thinking and resilience.

4. ANALYSE (4th gear): Leaders learn to dissect complex situations, recognising patterns and relationships within dynamic systems. This level, driven by coaching, equips leaders to break down strategic issues and see interconnections others might miss. Elephants in Main Street’s model emphasises guided reflection and active dialogue, pushing leaders to internalise analytical practices that inform their future actions.

5. EVALUATE (5th gear): Critical judgment becomes the focus, where leaders refine their decision-making processes. Elephants in Main Street coaches challenge leaders to question their assumptions, weigh evidence, and debate choices, honing their ability to select the most effective path. This level embodies a crucial shift where leaders not only assess situations but do so with balanced, strategic clarity.

6. CREATE (6th gear): The pinnacle of the Cognitive Experiential Model, where innovation takes root. Here, leaders are equipped to synthesise their understanding, analysis, and evaluations to generate original solutions. Coaching at this level is about encouraging fearless creativity, allowing leaders to view problems as opportunities and craft new approaches that drive transformation within their organisations.

The Role of Experiential Coaching:

Elephants in Main Street’s experiential coaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about fostering a lived cognitive development process that raises vital thinking. Through experiential learning techniques such as scenario simulations, role-playing, and reflective exercises, leaders evolve from merely recalling information to mastering the art of innovation. 

This method ensures that each “gear” or level of thinking is not just theoretical but becomes part of the leader’s skillset through experience-based challenges.    The significance of raising vital thinking through this coaching model lies in the leaders’ ability to respond dynamically to real-world complexities.    

Leaders who engage with Elephants in Main Street’s Cognitive Experiential Model through coaching are empowered to shift gears seamlessly, growing in cognitive agility. 

This heightened capacity for critical, strategic, and innovative thinking positions them not just as participants in their organisations, but as visionary leaders capable of navigating the future with confidence and competence.