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Given
that coaching was officially declared as a profession
in the last 10 years, many clients and prospects, have
questions about coaching.
In
this section, we define what is coaching
and provide key distinctions with other disciplines.
These are our views which we hope will give you a better
understanding of the value of coaching, how our sessions
look like, and what you can expect when working with
us. Doing your research is important before embarking
on a life-improving process. You should also visit our
FAQ
page for more answers to frequently asked questions.
What
Is Coaching?
Coaching is an active and ongoing life-improving
partnership between a coach and a "coachee"
(the client). The coach works with the individual and
assists him/her in discovering, creating, and implementing
smart, achievable, and effective goals and desired outcomes.
Coaches are trained to listen and observe beyond what
is being said or portrayed, and to adapt their techniques
to the client's individual needs. The goal of the coaching
partnership is to guide the client in a self-discovery
process, create solutions, and execute strategies to
succeed personally and professionally in life and work.
Life coaching is the only human development process
that focuses on the client's future!
The
International Coaching Federation defines coaching as:
"Professional Coaching is an ongoing professional
relationship that helps people produce extraordinary
results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations.
Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their
learning, improve their performance, and enhance their
quality of life."
Life
coaching draws its techniques from a variety of disciplines
such as leadership training, organizational theory,
management consulting, sociology, psychology, career
counseling, mentoring, counseling, and neuro-linguistic
programming. Life coaches assist clients in goal-setting,
creating and executing strategy, create a balanced living,
journey in self-discovery, assess their values, play
to their strengths, and change or modify their behavior;
develop client-generated solutions and strategies; be
accountable to their coaches and support system; and
responsible to their actions, among other areas of personal
growth and development.
Life
coaching has become the second largest profession in
the United States, second to Information Technology.
Despite its current and recent popularity, life coaching
finds it roots thousands of years back when kings and
rulers sought advice and/or solutions to lead their
people and make wise decisions. Athletes have been using
sports coaches and personal trainers for years to improve
their performance, achieve goals, and become winners.
Michael Jordan had many simultaneous coaches to assist
him winning six championship rings and numerous MVP's.
Tiger Woods also enlists several coaches in for his
own personal development and career thus becoming a
positive icon in society.[up]
What
Life Coaching Is Not?
Psychotherapy - Coaching is not therapy.
Therapy focuses on working with dysfunctional people
and is past-oriented. That is, it looks for the causal
factors that occurred in the past to explain a person's
current behaviors or blockages. Therapists revisit the
past to reconcile issues that affect day to day behavior
and well being, and/or overcome past problems and pathologies.
. Coaching does not focus on examining nor diagnosing
the past, coaching is action and achievement-oriented,
and focuses on the present and future. Therapists mainly
work with the past to improve the present, but do not
work on the future. Coaching is about your future.
Mentoring
- Mentoring involves an older and often wiser, expert
in the subject area who "passes down" knowledge.
Also involves providing guidance and advice.
Consulting
- Consultants provide the skills to solve problems the
client cannot solve on his/her own. Typically, they
are not involved in the personal aspects of their clients.
Consultants solve problems, not necessarily offer solutions.
There is not much control over the results, whereas
in coaching you have complete control. Life coaches
are not consultants with expertise on a specific industry
or professional role, but rather partners who support
you to reach your goals. Consultants are experts on
their fields; you are an expert on your life!
Career
Counseling - Career Counselors help you find the
job you want by retouching your resume and adding the
right key words and statements. Once you get the job
their job is done. In contrast a coach will assist an
individual in discovering their strengths and the vocation
they were created to undertake. The axiom, "once
you find the job you love, you never work a day in your
life" is real. Coaches help you find your passion
(change careers if desired) and support you in becoming
the best in your chosen vocation. Whether, it is becoming
an entrepreneur, changing careers, considering degree
or continuing education, etc.
All
of the above service professions are helpful depending
on your personal and professional needs. They can be
used independently or in combination with coaching.
When combined with coaching, the results can be extraordinary.
[up]
Who
Hires A Coach?
If you ready to play your own best game, then you are
ready for coaching. Roger Federer, #1 tennis player
in the world, uses a coach for support, feedback, and
for drawing out his best mental and physical game. In
fact, Federer has a whole team of people supporting
him in being the best in the world - coach, physiotherapist,
massage therapist, sponsors, fans, and girlfriend who
provides emotional support as well as organizes his
public appearances. Additionally, Federer and Woods
began a mutual coaching relationship several years back
and on numerous occasions shared how this friendship
and partnership has helped them both to be better at
what they do.
Regardless
of your religious background, you are most likely familiar
with the story of Noah and the Ark. God chose Noah to
preserve the entire animal kingdom before the flood.
God coached Noah how to go about saving the world from
death and extinction.
Nonetheless,
coaching is not limited to sports of personal training.
Oprah Winfrey-without a doubt one of the most acclaimed
TV personalities in history-also uses coaches in both
her personal and professional life. Other successful
and popular figures such as Madonna, Anthony Robbins,
Bob Nardelli, Brad Pitt and Halle Berry use the support
of coaches. Even Warren Buffett hired Bill Gates to
coach him through a corporate transition. All these
champions have something in common, they have an innate
talent, but became exceptionally good with coaching.
[up]
What
Makes An Exceptional Coach?
"A coach is someone who tells you what
you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't
want to see, so you can be who you have always known
you could be."
- Tom Landry
These
words from Tom Landry, capture the essence of what makes
an exceptional coach. There are many attributes; below
are my top five, in no particular order:
1. First, the coach must be genuinely committed to the
client's success and assist them to create the life
they want.
2. Second, the coach must be an excellent listener,
patient and skilled to provide feedback and coach the
client to find clarity.
3. Third, because every individual is different; the
coach must be discerning in order to partner with the
client wherever he/she is in life.
4. Fourth, the coach must be sensitive and empathetic
to encourage forward action at the client's own pace.
5. Fifth, coaches are committed to inspire and empower
individuals for success.
Overall, coaches live to witness personal breakthroughs
in people's lives. At least I do!
[up]
How
Can A Coach Support Me In Reaching My Goals?
The potential of coaching is extensive. Below are some
areas in which I assist my clients:
Self-Awareness
and Self-Discovery - Know Yourself Better
Gain
Clarity in Life and Fresh Perspective
Increase
Self-Confidence
Maintain
a Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle - Now Is The Time to
Improve Your Quality of Life
Keep
You Focused - Start and Complete Personal and Professional
Goals.
Reduce
Stress and Find Peace
Open
Your Eyes to Possibilities and Perspectives
Set
Strategic Goals and Maintain Momentum
Process
Ideas and Make Wise Decisions
Live
With Integrity
Deal With Change and Uncertainty
Financial Security and Budgeting
Career
Direction - Stay, Improve, or Change
Work
Smarter
Find
Significance in Life and Discover Your True Passion
Navigate
Life transitions
Assess
Your Emotional IQ
Keep
You Accountable - Stay on Track and Keep Priorities
in Check
Inspire
You to Lead Wisely, Courageously, and Increase Your
Level of Influence
Improve
Relationships with Your Spouse, Family, Children, Coworkers,
and Friends.
Capitalize
on your Strengths
Quit
a Bad Habit, i.e. Smoking, Lying, Procrastinating, etc.
Obtain
Powerful and Effective Feedback
Improve
Efficiency and Effectiveness
Enhance
Your Communication Skills
Because
coaching is tailored to your specific issues, your own
list of outcomes may include all of these and more.
It is very likely to include at least some. Help you
achieve your dreams without losing steam wherever you
want to go faster and further, without wearing out.
[up]
What
Goes On During The 45-min Coaching Session?
The main purpose of a coaching interaction is to provide
clarity and create action strategies. The client chooses
the focus of the conversation, what does he/she wants
to discuss that day. The coach listens and contributes
with feedback and questioning. The coaching dynamic
focuses on where the client is now, where does he/she
want to go in the future, and the necessary action steps
needed to reach the desired destination. The coach also
provides solutions, encourages positive action, and
inspires the client to live a more meaningful and fulfilling
life.
I
observe and listen to help you discover more about yourself
and the life you want. By means of tested feedback principles
I will provide you with insight, open thought, expanded
vision. Together we will create an action plan that
will help you focus and create a road map to get where
you want to go. I will be like your co-pilot, reminding
you where you want to go, how to get there, when to
slow down or increase the pace, how and when to turn,
when to shift gears, how close you are to the finish
line, etc. The structure that you create and feel comfortable
with, will serve as a roadmap and accountability credo
between you, your goals, and your coach.
Client-initiated
and coach-supported partnerships are a critical factor
in the sustainable and significant success of every
leader, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or social
background. [up]
How
Does The Coaching Process Look Like?
Coaching usually happens over the phone, although it
can also occur in person. it can be an advantage as
it is more convenient for both client and coach, does
not involve travel time or costs, offers clients more
anonymity, and encourages coaches to develop exceptional
listening skills.
When
a client first me to enlist in a coaching program, we
schedule a free 30-min consultation to discuss coaching
in more depth and determine if we are a good fit for
each other. Prior to this initial meeting you will have
filled my Life Discovery Form so I can get a quick snapshot
of where they are in life. If we agree to work together,
we will schedule our first meeting dates and times and
will send you an intake package (electronically or via
mail) to be completed prior to our next session. This
package includes a contract to be signed, several forms
(i.e. questions about life goals and plans) and (sometimes)
assessments and tests to be completed (to assess values,
behaviors, personality styles, etc.)
In
addition to this, clients often send their coach a weekly
prep form prior to each session which focuses on accomplishments
in the previous week, challenges they are currently
experiencing and what they want to accomplish with their
coach in the upcoming session.
During the coaching call, the coach will ask what the
client wants, listen to the answer and ask questions
that assist clients to clarify, envision what they want,
address limits or blocks, identify gaps, and help them
move towards taking action. Typically by the end of
the session, the coach will want to know three things
from his client:
What
will you do over the next week?
When
will you do it by?
How
will the client know s/he has been successful and how
will the coach know the client has been successful at
achieving his or her goal(s)."
[up]
Why Hire
The Support Of A Coach?
"I absolutely believe, that people, unless coached,
never reach their maximum capabilities."
- Bob Nardelli, CEO Home Depot
People
from all walks of life are now hiring coaches to bridge
the gap between reality and their dreams. Clients hire
coaches for an array of reasons, such as: start a new
business, assess their strengths and weaknesses, manage
time better, set better goals, make a career transition,
balance their lifestyle, explore spiritual and personal
fulfillment, improve relationships, further financial
independence, get physically fit, brainstorm ideas,
improve performance, make better decisions, maximize
effectiveness, gain assistance in decision-making, or
reevaluate their life choices. This is not a comprehensive
list, but some of the more common needs and desires
I have come across in my practice. In a nutshell, whenever
they are ready to experience personal or professional
breakthrough!
"In
an ideal world we wouldn't need coaches to help us,
as individuals, understand ourselves and those around
us. But we don't live in an ideal world." (Sourced
from Management Today, Jan/Feb 2005, page 32.)
You
have untapped potential, unimaginable degrees of creativity,
and vast personal resources to live a fully purposeful
life today. A coach assists you to gain clarity and
find solutions to the many challenges and road blocks
you face everyday. Not only will your life be more meaningful,
balanced, and exciting, but you will taste success without
sacrificing your life or your values on the field (curbside).
Additionally, your life will create a positive influence
in people around you-making the world a better place.
Do not think of this as a cliché, but an opportunity
to make a difference in the world, one life at a time.
[up]
Is
My Coach An Expert In My Field?
I am aware and do not pretend to know more about
life or your situation than yourself. You are a master
of your own domain.
Let
me use the following analogy to illustrate my point.
Phil Jackson, the super star coach for the Chicago Bulls,
who led the team to more consecutive championships than
any other team in history, did not play better ball
than Jordan-in my opinion the greatest basketball player
in history. Coach Jackson did not need to play basketball
better, his job was to inspire, train, and coach his
team members to shoot more effectively, play better
as a team, perfect plays, etc. His job was primarily
to observe objectively and provide the necessary feedback
and push each player to develop their skills and achieve
their maximum potential by playing to their strengths.
With X months of preseason training his role was to
develop champions on the court to win in the X months
of competition. In the same way, I will coach you to
be successful on and off the court, while maintaining
a healthy and balance lifestyle. Phil coached Jordan,
how to improve his skills, when to pass, when to take
the last shot before the clock ran out, when to consume
the clock, and when to rest by simply seating on the
bench--something Jordan did not do much-thanks to his
endurance coach.
A
coach is an accountability partner, a thinking buddy,
a dreamweaver, a catalyst for your personal growth and
development. [up]
Will
My Coach Tell Me What To Do?
As a coach I do not have the answers to everything or
will I tell you what to do or how to live your life.
I offer solutions and ask powerful questions that will
trigger you to think better and deeper and to look at
life's situations from a different perspective. Often,
as your coach, I will ask questions you may have never
been asked nor thought about before.
You
are a master of your own domain; an expert in your own
personal and professional life and you hold the absolute
power to make the decisions you feel more comfortable
with. I will not tell you what to do, instead I will
coach you to dig deeper, know yourself better, explore
an issue or the situation from a different perspectives,
make wiser choices, and ultimately, keep you accountable
to fulfill your goals. You hold the power to do whatever
you wish with the information I provide. [up]
What
Can I Expect From Coaching?
The International Coaching Federation responds
to this question beautifully. "Individuals and
organizations who engage in a professional coaching
relationship will experience fresh perspectives on personal
challenges and opportunities, enhanced decision-making
skills, greater interpersonal effectiveness, and increased
confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life
roles. Consistent with a commitment to enhancing their
personal effectiveness, they can also expect to see
appreciable results in the areas of productivity, personal
satisfaction with life and work, and the achievement
of personally relevant goals." -ICF. [up]
How
Do I Get Started With Coaching?
"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'.
Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools
you may have at your command, and better tools will
be found as you go along."
- Napoleon Hill
Still
Not Convinced?
Contact
our office and my assistant will respond
within 24 hours to setup a convenient time for a 30-min
free consultation. We look forward to connect with you!
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