How do I know I need a coach?
People seek coaches because they want change. Over time, we have all collected a series of assumptions, beliefs, expectations, judgments and opinions about how life works, what should and shouldn’t happen, who we are/should be, how to choose/make decisions etc.
Rarely do we realize when we have outgrown many of these beliefs or that there are better routes. A coach can offer fresh suggestions and challenge those useless beliefs to enable you to shift, change or alter current paradigms.
But my life is okay so why see a coach?
You may have a good job or a business that makes a profit but is it a great career or an award winning business? A great coach will help you realize your potential. This is crucial, because humans are animals and subject to the same instinctual reactions and fears. In our experience it is much more common for a client to set a goal which is too small than one which is too big. Coaching is for those who wants great results in their lives.
Do I need a therapist or a coach?
Coaching is about personal and professional growth and development based on individual-initiated change in pursuit of specific actionable outcomes. Coaching focuses on the future by identifying problem areas and working to remove or re-set them whereas therapy deals with healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or a relationship between two or more individuals. Coaching’s primary focus is on creating actionable strategies for achieving specific goals in one's work or personal life.
Give me some examples/reasons why someone might work with a coach
There may be something at stake or there may be a challenge that needs to be overcome. A person might want quick and real results or may be unclear about what he wants. He may be highly successful but unable to deal with stress related to the success. A person’s work and life may be out of balance. Someone might be unable to stay in a relationship. The passion in a marriage might have died.
How is coaching delivered? What’s the process?
Coaching typically begins with a personal interview (either face-to-face or by telephone) to assess the individual's current opportunities and challenges, define the scope of the relationship, identify priorities for action, and establish specific desired outcomes.
Subsequent coaching sessions may be conducted in person or over the telephone, with each session lasting a certain length of time.
Between scheduled coaching sessions, the individual may be asked to complete specific actions that support the achievement of one's personally prioritized goals. The coach may provide additional resources in the form of relevant articles, checklists, assessments, or models, to support the individual's thinking and actions. The duration of the coaching relationship varies depending on the individual's personal needs and preferences
How long does a coach work with an individual?
The length of a coaching partnership varies depending on the individual's needs and preferences. For certain types of focused coaching, 1-3 weeks of coaching works best, for some 3 to 6 months of working with a coach may work. For other types of coaching, people may find it beneficial to work with a coach for a longer period on a once a month basis.