Coaching is a dynamic, relationship that helps you focus on both personal and professional vision and goals. Through the coaching process, people gain a greater sense of their own values, what drives them, and what’s really important. It is through this heightened awareness that individuals make informed decisions and plan for action about how they want to live and work – decisions that both nurture their passions and sustain themselves and their families.
Coaching provides a safe, confidential space for people to pause and reflect on possibilities for themselves (and, therefore, those they care for and the communities and work to which they are committed). Through coaching you can set goals, explore, dream, identify core values and together we can develop strategies to move you towards your vision.
Coaching closes the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. With Coaching, you can experience fresh perspectives on your challenges and opportunities, enhance your thinking and decision-making skills, increase your interpersonal effectiveness and feel more confident to carry out your chosen work and life roles.
How is coaching done?
I typically coach clients 2 sessions per month for a minimum of three months and offer email /voicemail support between sessions. Coaching sessions generally occur via phone and are between 45 minutes to one hour per session. Coaching by phone offers greater convenience and is often less inhibiting, offering greater trust and safety.
After 3 months I then work with clients on a month to month basis. Six months is the average span of a coaching relationship. Many clients come back to coaching throughout their life when they are faced with a challenging decision, a desire to make a change, or other feeling of “stuckness” that they want to move out of.
What are some reasons people hire a coach?
- to increase effectiveness as a leader (in your organization, family, community)
- to create more work/ life balance
- to uncover and act on gifts and dreams
- to make your present job more fulfilling
- to plan a career change
- to plan your life based on what matters most to you
- to launch a new business, project, program or organization
- to prepare to transition your job or life path when you don’t know what is next
- to build confidence
- to work more effectively with your team
- to make your life more fulfilling
- to plan or manage transition
- to consider an “encore career’ or new life post retirement
- to shift your relationship to money and resources
- to get motivated
Is Coaching Therapy?
No, coaching is not therapy. You will find that coaching focuses on planning and personal growth and does not attempt to heal emotional trauma. Healing is often a side benefit of coaching. Coaching helps you find what is important to you now, in this moment, and act on that information. Therapy often focuses on childhood pain, whereas coaching focuses on your strengths in the present, and how you want to show up now and into the future. Coaches often refer clients to other professionals for issues that are better suited to a therapeutic relationship.
What is a typical coaching session like?
The hallmark of coaching is self-responsibility. The client sets the agenda (topic) for the session and the coach follows that agenda. You can expect me to ask powerful and clarifying questions, to interrupt the ‘story’ to shift you to focus on what matters most, and on accountability.
I will have high expectations of you, will hold you in high regard, and will support you thoroughly. I coach sessions that assist you in reaching greater personal awareness, prioritizing actions, making commitments.
To get started:
Feel free to contact me and we can arrange a complimentary coaching session! In the sample session you will get to experience the power of coaching and we will see if we are a mutual fit.