What is Coaching?
Coaching is a partnership process between a client and a coach, in which the collaborative focus is exclusively on the client’s agenda. Unlike a fitness coach or a sports coach, a life coach has no prepared material to “teach” the client, but rather is trained to hear the client express their goals, to understand what the client needs to reach them and to support the entire journey.
The coach appreciates and respects the client’s process, listens without judgment, and then offers the client a “mirror” of what she hears him say—and not say—for clarification. Once the client agrees that the coach understands the issues, the coach will ask more questions to be sure she understands what the client needs to get where he wants to go, and how she would like to get there.
The coach is trained to hear subtle changes in a client’s expression, tone, way of describing the situation, etc, and will ask questions so that the client accesses the information that they know to be true around the situation. The coach then supports the client’s agenda and together they uncover the client’s underlying thinking, process, etc., that the client is now ready to change in order to move forward.
A good coach is both a cheerleader and an accountability partner who takes her direction from the client at the onset of the relationship. Coaching ultimately helps clients take actions that they discover to be the next right steps to achieving their goals…steps that they may never have discovered or had the fortitude to take without the coaching relationship. Results can be miraculous.
Examples of personal issues we tackle with clients:
• Juggling it all alone—prioritizing and letting go of perfectionism.
• Understanding that it is ok to say “No” to requests for our time.
• The value of doing something just because you feel like it.
• Discipline issues: picking your battles.
• Nutrition in a fast-paced life.
• Dating again… how that makes sense for you.
• The college process, from research through the entire transition.
• Approaching retirement emotionally and financially.
Examples of professional situations we tackle with clients:
• Settling for employment based on location and hours, rather than interest and/or challenge.
• Relationship/team challenges at the office.
• Going for the high-paying career option and feeling as if you have no family time.
• Combining professional networking with social benefit.
• Long-term career goals.
• Working at something you love that also allows you the time to be the parent that you want to be.
• The difference between being assertive and aggressive in the office.
• Discovering balance—time management to get the job done without consistent long hours
Let’s get to work on your dream life today.
