How can I benefit from coaching?

 

Working with a coach is a great way for a successful individual to:

 

• Set and achieve higher quality goals

• Improve leadership skills and unlock potential

• Eliminate rather than tolerate the negatives

• Achieve a more balanced life

• Make better decisions

• Accelerate development in business, skills, knowledged, and perhaps most important - relationships.

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What is coaching?

 

International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today's uncertain and complex environment.  Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her own life and work, and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

 

• Discover, clarify, and align with client goals

• Encourage self-discovery

• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies

• Hold the client responsible and accountable

 

This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.

 

Can you define what coaching is not?

 

Coaching is NOT: 

 

• Therapy, which focuses on dysfunction

• Consulting, which diagnoses problems/prescribes solutions

• Mentoring, which supplies wisdom based on experience

• Training, which is based on instructor objectives

• Athletic, which focuses on the coach as goal creator

 

How can I determine if coaching is right for me?

 

To determine whether you or your company could benefit from coaching, start by summarizing what you would expect to accomplish in coaching. When an individual or business has a fairly clear idea of the desired outcome, a coaching partnership can be a useful tool for developing a strategy for how to achieve that outcome with greater ease.

 

Since coaching is a partnership, ask yourself whether collaboration, other viewpoints, and new perspectives are valued. Also, ask yourself whether you or your business is ready to devote the time and the energy to making real changes. If the answer is yes, then coaching may be a beneficial way to grow and develop.

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What is the difference between executive and professional coaching?

 

Generally, organizations differentiate leaders at the executive, i.e., CEO, CFO, CIO, senior vice president, vice president and non-executive or professional level, i.e., director, senior manager, manager.

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Does coaching have to be done face-to-face?

 

While coaching can be accomplished face-to-face, it is more often than not done over the phone.  This allows for flexibility in scheduling, as well as accommodating the client who does not reside in the same geography as the coach.

 

How long is a coaching session?

 

Coaching sessions can be scheduled from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the desired outcome. 

 

How many sessions will I need to accomplish my coaching goal?

 

The number of sessions will vary depending on the client's agenda and what he or she wishes to accomplish.