What is coaching and how do you know if you’re ready for a coaching program? Here are a few important aspects to consider…
What a coach does
A coach partners with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Coaching is a deeply introspective process in which the client is guided to their own solutions to pressing challenges and to lasting behaviour change that can transform how they lead.
I create a confidential and safe space for you to express yourself freely, a crucial success factor in the coaching journey. As an ICF-credentialed professional coach, I abide by the ICF competencies and ethics at all time. For more in this, click here.
What a coach doesn’t do
Coaching is not counselling/therapy. Therapy is designed to help an individual heal emotionally so that they can function healthily in the present. Coaching, on the other hand, assumes the client is emotionally healthy. It is focused on the future and helping the client achieve their goals and personal or professional growth.
Also, Coaching is not consulting. Unlike consultants who advise or direct around specific business challenges or gaps, a coach guides the client on a journey of self-discovery and solution creation. I rely on my leadership experience to inform my approach, and offer suggestions – with your permission – only when it can be used to help you shift your perspective to develop greater insights and your own solutions.
Are you ready for a coach?
It’s important to note that leadership coaching takes investment in time, money and effort. I always begin my discussions with clients by highlighting what is required for ultimate success from the coaching process. An important part of this success is your own readiness.
Here are 3 questions to ask yourself to determine if you’re ready to start…
1. Am I willing to commit the time required?
To gain the most from the process, meetings need to occur frequently enough to develop and maintain momentum. Optimal session frequency is between 2-3 weeks. This allows enough time to apply and reflect on the actions you develop, but not so much that momentum is lost. We will work together to determine the frequency that is best for you.
2. Am I willing to protect the time in my calendar?
Leaders are busy people, juggling many important priorities that require time commitment. As coaching is an investment in your own personal and professional development, it’s important that you give it equal high-priority status in your schedule.
3. Am I willing and ready to apply the action plans I develop?
Nothing changes without action. Taking action requires time and focus, yet it is essential to creating the behaviour-change that creates value from the process.
If you can respond “yes” to these 3 questions, you are ready to experience the real value of coaching!
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