Coaching is the process of developing and enhancing capability in people. Coaching works from the premise that the person being coached is a high-functioning individual who would like to excel and achieve the next level in his or her development, whether in business, relationships, or personal growth. Coaching can be performed at three different levels: performance, change and transformation.
In a successful coaching relationship, the client can expect the benefits of coaching to include:
Coaching is action-oriented, focusing on results. Unlike a therapist, a coach is not as focused on why a person is behaving or believing as he does, but rather, how a person wants to develop, and how to achieve that goal. Emphasis is on the present and future, rather than the past.
Coaching differs from consulting in that the coach is not hired to advise the client, but to work on bringing out the answers that are inherent in the client. Again, the focus is on expanding the client's development and capability. To that end, the agenda for coaching sessions is always driven by the client, not by the coach. The coach is present as a partner, or guide, along the client's journey.
I coach both individuals and teams, and organization leaders at all levels. I begin with new clients by suggesting they fill out a self-assessment instrument to determine their worldviews, and a New Client Form to help determine more quickly the client's goals.
To achieve meaningful results, a minimum of 10 sessions is needed. Sessions are generally 45 minutes on average, though some clients may prefer fewer and longer sessions to fit into their schedule. Coaching can be done in person, or over the phone. There may be some email or phone contact between sessions, as needed.
I offer a free initial session with you, to help you determine whether coaching is something you want to do. Since coaching is a partnership, it is also important that you feel comfortable with the style of interaction with your coach. An initial session with me will help you assess that.
Sometimes it's difficult to determine if the best solution would be coaching, consulting, training - or a combination of all three. One way to help in this direction would be to fill in the short questionnaire, Assessing the Need for Coaching, and sending it in to me. We can then set up a time to talk about the results, and what course of action would be most beneficial for the situation. There is no cost or obligation.