Frequently Asked Questions
What is coaching?
Professional coaching is an interactive process that helps individuals and organizations improve their performance and achieve extraordinary results. Professional coaches work with clients in all areas including business, career, finances, health and relationships.
Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Coaches help people improve their performances and enhance the quality of their lives.
Coaches are trained to listen, to observe and to customize their approach to individual client needs. They seek to elicit solutions and strategies from the client; they believe the client is naturally creative and resourceful. The coach's job is to provide support to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that the client already has.
Who works with a coach?
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 achievements of personally relevant goals.
What format does coaching take?
Coaching can take place in a face to face format, over the telephone, over email, via skype. It is whatever works best for the client. I have enjoyed using all of these ways of connecting and often times incorporate a blend of face to face with telephone as well as email support in between coaching sessions. Telephone coaching saves time from going to and from an appointment location and it allows the client to access coaches, literally around the globe. It’s whatever works best for you!
How long should the coaching engagement last?
For as long or as little as you like, though it is generally recommended that the engagement be a minimum of 3 - 6 months to ensure learning is incorporated into long-term sustainable changes. I have worked with clients for as little as a one week engagement for as long as two years.
What is the investment?
That is really dependent upon how the credentials of the coach, how long you engage with the coach and how frequent the coaching sessions are. Typically, I work with clients on a weekly basis for 30-45 minutes, 3-4x/month. Fees are $500 per month, pre-paid for the first 3 months. Many companies’ extended health care plans will cover your coaching investment.
Should I hire the first coach I meet?
It is highly recommended that you shop around for the coach that is the right fit for you. Many coaches have specialties or niche areas that they prefer to work in; for instance: life coaching, business coaching and executive/leadership coaching. Regardless, you should interview at least 3 coaches. Prepare a list of questions about where they went to school, what their experience is, if they are willing to provide testimonials, if they are credentialed (meaning they have met the competencies of the coaching profession) and what coaching organizations they are members of. Be curious as to what lead them to this profession and ask them why coaching is a passion for them.
Many people claim to be coaches and while they may well be, you want to be sure you are working with someone with a great reputation and a proven track record. Plus – be sure it feels right – having a connection with your coach is an important factor. After all, you will be working together in service of you!
The International Coach Federation (ICF) is a great organization with resources to help you Find a Coach that’s right for you.
http://www.coachfederation.org/find-a-coach