What Is Coaching?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) definition of Coaching is “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” It is not therapy. It is also not mentoring or consulting, although there may sometimes be elements of mentoring or consulting upon mutual agreement between the coach and client. It's as if the coach is placing a "mirror" in front of you, bringing the reality of the situation into full awareness.
Why Coaching?
Coaching can be helpful for anyone at any time. However, there are certain milestones or transition points in one’s career and life, where it can be particularly helpful. At these times, leaders are often wrestling with trade-off decisions that affect both their work and personal lives. These trade-off decisions may occur at any career stage. How you deal with them at each stage, however, may likely be very different. Here are some examples -- which of the following situations are you facing now?
I've been successful in my current role, but I'm ready for some kind of change or broader responsibility to continue to develop marketable skills.
I've been assigned to a critical high profile project and want to engage the support of my boss, team and/or other important stakeholders, including my family.
My husband and I just found out we are pregnant. I'm not sure if I want to continue with my corporate career after our child is born, or if I want to create a business for myself that will allow me more flexibility.
In order to continue to progress at my organization, I will probably be asked to relocate at some point in the future. What are the implications for me and my family?
I like my company and my job and still have a few years until retirement. I want to stay relevant in an ever-changing business climate so I can leave on my own terms.
I have just retired, my children are grown and have families of their own. I have no idea what to do in retirement to feel I have a meaningful purpose or to enjoy myself. Working for so many years with a really busy life, I never planned for retirement activities that would make me happy.
I am seriously considering leaving corporate life, venturing out and pursuing an entrepreneurial interest. I want to evaluate my options and consider how this change would affect the other areas of my life.
What challenge, if resolved today, would change your life for the better? Explore the positive steps you can take now to make choices that work for the “total” you. Contact me today to schedule a discovery call to explore the possibilities!
What Is My Role As a Coach?
In my role as coach I help you to uncover and examine the assumptions that may be holding you back from realizing your potential and the choices you have. I acknowledge and respect that only you know what is happening around you and within you. Therefore, that makes you the expert on you, not me. I listen to you and reflect back what I am hearing so that you are able to come to terms with the true reality of whatever situation you are currently grappling with. I ask questions to make you think and move beyond your current perspective, enabling you to look at things in new ways and consider other possibilities.
What Does Coaching with Me Feel Like?
No one experiences coaching the same way. There is no “formula”. Your experience will be uniquely yours. I will always honor you and your agenda. My clients say that I am professional, personable, engaging, and sincere. I am candid, and the questions can be tough and confronting, but I ask them in caring and thoughtful ways. It is my job to coach you on the "edge" of your comfort zone to help you open up to new perspectives and opportunities. However, you are always the one in the driver's seat.
At first you may feel confused and overwhelmed. However, as we work together to uncover and examine the assumptions that may be getting in the way, those feelings are usually replaced by heightened confidence in making the trade-off decisions to take control of your own destiny.
As your coach, I promise to be authentic, respectful, non-judgmental and objective. I will concentrate on stimulating your awareness and insights into options for successfully navigating through your current challenge. I will always honor the confidentiality of our discussions and never share personal information unless given your permission to do so.
I adhere to the Codes of Ethics for both the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF) .
Are You Ready for Coaching?
A successful coaching engagement requires a commitment of time and energy, and openness to looking at things from new and different perspectives, then taking action to test new ideas and embrace change. If you are willing to do this, then you are likely ready for coaching. Contact me today to find out and explore the possibilities!