The Harken Approach

Listen carefully. Think clearly. Move forward intentionally.

Harken combines disciplined, operator-informed coaching with a practical framework to strengthen your ability to navigate consequential leadership and career challenges.

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Why the name Harken

Attentive listening creates the starting point.

Harken means to listen attentively or give thoughtful consideration to what is being said.

Before people can make better decisions or create meaningful change, they need space to listen to themselves, to others, and to the realities of the situation.

Attentive listening creates the awareness required to question assumptions, understand patterns, clarify what matters, and choose a more intentional response.

Slow down. Pay attention. Harken.

The person navigating the situation

Focus attention where you can create leverage.

Markets change. Organizations restructure. Priorities conflict. Other people make decisions. Coaching helps you examine the response that remains yours to shape.

How are you interpreting the situation?
Which facts, assumptions, and emotions are shaping that interpretation?
Where do you have control or influence, and where may acceptance be required?
Which decision or conversation requires your attention?
How is your behavior affecting other people and the outcome?
What meaningful action are you prepared to take?

The situation creates the challenge. How you think, decide, communicate, and follow through shapes the response.

The Harken Coaching Framework

A structured, iterative approach for converting reflection into meaningful action.

Designed for GTM professionals, the framework helps you gain clarity, take ownership, and make progress. Each pass through the cycle creates new awareness, stronger ownership, and informed action.

The Harken Coaching Cycle

ReflectLearnAdjust
The cycle responds toChanging ContextNew Challenges & OpportunitiesNew ResponsibilitiesNew Information

An iterative process

Each cycle creates information for the next.

The framework provides enough structure to support reflection while remaining responsive to what you learn, what changes, and what becomes possible.

Reflect.
Learn.
Adjust.

Hover over or focus on G, T, or M to explore each stage.

G · Gain Clarity

Create awareness, focus, and direction.

Questions to explore

  • What matters most right now?
  • What are you trying to achieve?
  • What does success look like?
  • What assumptions or patterns may be holding you back?

Potential Client Outcomes

Greater self-awarenessClearer prioritiesStronger goal-action alignment

T · Take Ownership

Strengthen agency and commitment.

Questions to explore

  • What is within your control?
  • What decisions have you been avoiding?
  • What behaviors need to change?
  • What commitment are you prepared to make?

Potential Client Outcomes

Greater accountabilityBetter decision-makingGreater confidence and agency

M · Make Progress

Convert insight into meaningful action.

Questions to explore

  • What is the next meaningful step?
  • What actions will create momentum?
  • How will you measure progress?
  • What adjustments are needed?

Potential Client Outcomes

Consistent actionSustainable changeProgress toward results

Operator-informed coaching

Experience informs the coaching. You own the decision.

Scott Ablin's operating background informs how he listens, the questions he asks, and the context he can recognize. Coaching remains the foundation of every Harken engagement.

When relevant, Scott may offer perspective or share experience. You remain responsible for the decision and what happens next.

Scott Ablin, founder and coach at Harken

A coaching session

The client brings the topic. Scott supports the thinking.

The conversation is thoughtful, direct, and practical. You retain responsibility for the agenda, choices, and action.

  • Define the issue and desired outcome for the conversation.
  • Explore context, assumptions, emotions, and competing priorities.
  • Identify a pattern, contradiction, or avoided decision.
  • Consider alternative interpretations or courses of action.
  • Test an emerging point of view.
  • Prepare for a decision or difficult conversation.
  • Establish a specific commitment.
  • Review what happened, what was learned, and what should change.

In their words

Scott is an incredibly empathetic and intuitive coach. While working with him, I felt comfortable sitting with the hard questions instead of avoiding them. He has helped me figure out my own solutions to problems and gain confidence in implementing them. My takeaways from our sessions have directly shaped my work and career decisions, helping me get clear on what I actually want for my future, what aligns with my values, and what’s been holding me back. I’d recommend him to anyone looking for a coach who listens deeply and asks the questions that matter.

Linda M.Talent and Performance Consultant

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Start with attention

Meaningful progress begins by paying attention.

Bring what you are navigating. A Good Talk will explore whether Harken's approach can serve you.

Schedule a Good Talk

No charge. No obligation. A thoughtful 30-minute conversation with Scott.