Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coach?
A coach is:
- Your partner in achieving personal and/or professional goals
- Your champion during a turnaround in life or career
- Your trainer in communication and life skills
- Your sounding board when making choices
- Your motivation when strong actions are called for
- Your unconditional support always, especially during rough times
- Your mentor in personal development
- Your co-designer when creating an action plan to achieve your goals
- Your beacon during stormy times
- Your wake-up call if you need one
And most importantly…
Your partner in helping you have more of what matters most to you
Basically, a coach helps you reach goals, solve problems, design a plan of action, and make better decisions. Then, a coach can help you implement your plan of action while maintaining a healthy balance between your personal and professional life.
The goal of a coach is to bring out your personal best, while keeping focused on your needs, values, and vision.
What does the process look like?
We typically begin with a complimentary conversation (in face or by phone or Skype) to get to know each other, explore your current situation, determine if coaching is right for you, and answer any questions you might have. At this point, we determine if the “chemistry” is right and if you think collaborating with me will support your growth and objectives. Then we can define the scope of the relationship and determine initial priorities, taking into account your unique goals and needs.
Our subsequent coaching meetings can take place by phone, Skype, or in person. These sessions typically last an hour, although I frequently run over if a client needs more time! I am not a clock-watcher, and I am completely flexible to design a specific approach to meet each client’s needs. Usually I meet with each client once per week, and then stay in touch by email and even occasional calls in between if required. I encourage my clients to stay in close touch between sessions so I can monitor their progress and stay aware of any challenges or opportunities they are facing.
Between our scheduled coaching sessions, you may have some follow up actions that support the achievement of your personally prioritized goals. I may provide additional resources in the form of relevant articles, checklists, assessments, or models, to support your thinking and actions. At our next meeting, we will review your progress and keep moving forward; coaching is all about progressing towards the future you desire and deserve!
How long does a coaching relationship last?
There is no set timeframe for a coaching relationship. Some people achieve their goals in a few months; others have found it beneficial to work together for longer periods. Many factors affect the length of coaching relationships including the type of goals you are setting and how much effort you are able to put into the process. Your success and pace of achieving your goals are directly related to your commitment and the effort you choose to make. My job is to encourage and support your journey to get there! Sometimes clients will choose to keep working with a coach even after their initial goals have been accomplished, as they discover the value of coaching in other areas of life. The duration of our coaching relationship, in all cases, is up to you.
Ethics and Confidentiality
The International Coach Federation is the global body that oversees the coaching profession by establishing professional standards, providing development opportunities, and defining and supporting ethics. My Coach University training program is recognized and endorsed by the ICF. In addition, as a member of the International Coach Association, I agree to uphold the ICF code of ethics. I will not divulge the Coach and Client are in a coaching relationship without express permission and will not reveal the content of our discussions, unless required by law.