It isn’t always easy to define coaching because it is a relationship, a process, and an outcome. Gallup Management states coaching has a purpose. A coach helps people reach their goals and potential by helping them understand who they are and where they want to go. A coach guides and supports clients on their way and empowers them to get there. A coach doesn’t take or direct them to where they want to go. A coach is along for the ride to help and guide each client on his or her journey.
A coach is a person who invests and interacts with an individual, partnership, or team for the primary purpose of stimulating, motivating, and facilitating the growth, development, and performance of that individual, partnership, or team.
The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The coaching process helps clients both define and achieve major goal areas, both professional and personal, faster, and with more ease than would be possible otherwise.”
Coaches produce both tangible and intangible outcomes such as increased productivity, employee retention, employee loyalty, a happier workplace, sense of meaning and purpose, meeting and exceeding goals, strengthening the organization, higher client and customer satisfaction, and fulfillment with work and life.
The coaching process is effective because of the client/coach relationship. The synergy and support allow the client to grow. The coach challenges the client and asks questions about relevant topics, highlights strengths, and uncovers hidden barriers in a confidential environment. The right match is absolutely key to the success of the coaching experience.
Recent studies have indicated that the top reasons that people engage a coach are to define their strengths and weaknesses; maximize and develop their potential; optimize individual or team performance; expand career opportunities; increase self-esteem and confidence; develop business management strategies; and manage work-life balance.
Coaching is for healthy and functioning people who seek change in their lives to achieve personal and professional fulfillment. Basically, anyone can hire a coach although their motivations may be different. In the last few years, coaching has expanded to individuals wanting an intelligent strategy to achieve a fulfilling life. It is no longer confined to just athletes or top executives.The majority of my clients include entrepreneurs, attorneys, doctors, consultants, business owners, human resource departments, managers, supervisors, and other professionals.
Here’s a great read from Harvard Business Review on this subject! Click here.
Coaching is increasing in demand because of the individual and organizational needs for establishing a unique brand, gaining a competitive advantage, creating collaborative workplaces, and achieving self-determination.
Possibly. It depends on your goals and your capacity for overcoming challenges while remaining focused and active on your objectives. Lots of people are successful without a coach. Conversely, almost everyone you ask will tell you that their lives or careers were enhanced by a mentor or supporter. Coaching is very similar. It’s like having someone in your corner who can help you see things clearly, support you while you face challenges, and keep you accountable for moving forward.
Coaches utilize a wide variety of skills including listening, clarifying, prioritizing, providing feedback, educating, challenging, evoking, directing, guiding, supporting and demonstrating. If you read my About page, then you know I draw from my background as a leader in business and in the mental health industry to provide customized coaching services.
Clients have goals for revenue/profitability, marketing and promotion, communication and thinking skills, personal development and growth, life balance, management and organizational skills, career advancement, financial independence, and problem-solving.
Coaching helps you develop skill-sets and tap into personal strengths that accelerate achieving goals: faster results, rapid personal development, clearer and sharper thinking, more financial security, meaningful accomplishment, more life satisfaction, more creativity and solutions, and higher profits.
Coaching principles are integrated from various professional disciplines including business and management theories, psychology, sports, eastern philosophy, parenting and communication, inspiration, and science. Personally, I find that coaching works best when you include a little bit of gentle sarcasm and humor.
According to the Harvard Business Review, the typical length of engagement with a coach is between 7 and 12 months. I have also found this to be true in my experience of more than a decade working with clients. The average duration is 6 to 9 months, with the shortest time frame being 3 months (it takes at least 21 days of repetition to form a habit) and other clients I’ve worked with for more than 6-7 years. The time frame is largely dependent on the client’s goals. Often, clients start with one specific goal they want to accomplish. Once they begin working with a coach, they see the benefit and expand their goals to multiple areas, continuing the relationship.
Studies have indicated significantly different satisfaction levels depending on the credentials of a coach. When working with a credentialed coach (yes, I am credentialed!), 92% of clients are satisfied, compared to 36% of those working with a non-credentialed coach. I’ve personally coached hundreds of different professionals and businesses. My business has been built on word of mouth and referrals, both from recent clients and from clients I have worked with more than 10 years. I’ve been sought after and only needed to do limited advertising, which I take as an indication that my clients are satisfied with my expertise.
Therapy relies on awareness of past experiences to bring about healing in the present. Coaching does not aim to cure mental health issues. Coaching sheds light on unseen possibilities and strengths, linking awareness to action. In simple terms, therapy and counseling focus on the past, while coaching focuses on the future. However, it is not unusual for a person to have both a coach and counselor.
Typically, the goals related to business coaching and life coaching differ. Business coaching generally focuses on profitability, staff development, and operations. Life coaching, on the other hand, is typically focused on a personal pursuit, such as identifying a new career or field, managing challenging relationships, or personal growth through stress management and fulfillment. Even though I have listed business coaching and life coaching as different areas, they often blend. It’s not easy for people to compartmentalize their lives. So at work, personal situations arise and vice versa. Interestingly, studies indicate that less than 3% of business professionals hired a coach to address personal issues. However, 76% reported addressing a personal issue with a coach.
Private coaching is working one-on-one with me as a professional coach to help you clarify and surpass your biggest goals. The goals you set and the time we share is completely personalized and focuses on your immediate needs. This differs from e-coaching, which typically has guided activities designed as best practices. As a private coaching client, you will experience breakthroughs in your thoughts and behaviors to produce amazing results in your business, career, relationship, and overall well-being. If you are not in my local area, virtual private coaching is also available, giving you the added benefit of creating more efficiency by participating wherever you would like, at the office, at home, or even when you are traveling.
The power of coaching occurs through a mutual commitment between the coach and the client. It is a challenging process that takes place over time (typically several months) and requires you to take an honest look at yourself. The first step is to determine whether coaching is the right fit for both of us. We do this through an initial consultation where we both get a chance to interview each other. During this conversation, we will begin to identify your goals and develop your coaching plan. Once we have both determined that we want to work together, then the fun begins using the GOALS model of coaching.