So what is coaching anyway?

(Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash)

I decided to dedicate this blog to coaching itself. As a trained and certified coach, I see the value coaching brings to individuals and companies. I hope this post answers any questions you have around the profession, if you have not had the opportunity to experience it yourself.

What do many successful executives, top athletes, and joyful people have in common? They all use coaches to help them live their dreams and be the best they can be. The value of a coach is in the non-judgmental nature of the interaction, the ability for them to see beyond the emotion and to help you peel back the onion to reveal your true potential. A certified coach with life and business experience will ask you plenty of empowering questions and give you the space to come up with your own solutions! When you buy into the solution you gain an advantage.

I’ve put together answers to some frequently asked questions below:

How can Coaching help me?

Trained professional coaches can help you make changes in your life to move you in the direction you desire and help you deal with obstacles whether internal or external. They help you find solutions that align with your true values. The purpose of coaching is to unlock your potential to maximize your own performance by helping you learn rather than teaching or telling you what to do. Coaches celebrate your successes and are cheerleaders for your growth.

Many large corporations invest in coaching for their senior leaders for this precise reason.

How is coaching different from mentoring, therapy and consulting?

A mentor is generally someone who has “been there and done that” and will show you the ropes. He or she is someone who you’d like to imitate, is in the same field of work or has experience in a situation similar to your own.

Therapy seeks to help you overcome issues and sometimes manage mental illness. Therapists undergo many years of specialized training. Their focus is to solve current problems by finding their roots in the past. Therapy can be effective for individuals who have serious problems that are linked to their past or have mental health issues.

A consultant is an expert in a certain field, assesses your situation, solves problems and gives you options for you to execute. Consultants are valuable resources when you need technical advice that is generally related to a Body of Knowledge i.e.: HR Consultants, Financial Consultants, IT Consultants or Home Design Consultants.

A coach is an individual who has been trained in the coaching process with the purpose of helping you unlock your potential, build confidence and move you to greater heights.

Do I need to find a coach with experience in my particular field of work?

No, coaches need not be experts in your field. They are experts in the coaching process through rigorous training. They may sometimes share their experience dealing with situations that are comparable to yours, but there is never a vested interest for you to adopt their strategies.

Will coaching guarantee success?

Nothing guarantees success more than your own desire to change and your willingness to stay the course with your coach. Your coach will provide the tools and techniques, help you make plans and will even help you develop strategies to stay on track. Your coach is in your corner, rooting for you and celebrating your successes. The coaching process is very powerful and thousands of people across the world have benefited from coaching.

Download and read the attached article about scientific evidence that confirms that coaching works.

Core+Energy+Coaching+Article.pdf

Download PDF • 131KB

What about confidentiality?

Trained and certified coaches are bound by the code of ethics of the coaching profession to main strict client confidentiality. Anything you share with me is strictly confidential.

How many coaching sessions are recommended?

It could vary depending on what you are seeking to change. I recommend a minimum of four sessions of 50 minutes each, one or two weeks apart. However, some clients may hire a coach to work with them over an extended period – 6 to 8 months.

Do coaches use assessments in the coaching process?

Generally, all coaches do. In my practice, I have a variety of tools that I use to help my clients. I will recommend and use those which I believe will help you move forward.

Is coaching done by phone or in person?

I believe it is whatever you are comfortable with. Since coaching is generally one on one, I prefer and recommend phone or web-based coaching as it saves commute time and can be done from the comfort of your home. In the middle of a pandemic, in-person coaching is not a good idea anyway but video calls definitely are a great advantage and I use these for some of my clients. You will need to find a quiet and private place to take your calls.

What is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment? Do all clients need to do it?

The ELI is an attitudinal assessment based on an energy/action model. You can read more about this powerful assessment here. I strongly recommend this assessment as it has been a life changing experience for me and so it will be for you! Feel free to contact me if you are interested.

I wish you all the best on your journey to reach your potential, whether you decide to hire a coach or not!

Our chief want in life is someone who can make us do what we can.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson