What is Coaching?

The ultimate goal of coaching is to help individuals and groups move to a new action or behavior while learning, growing and developing.

Coaching is a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. The coach supports an individual to improve performance and get better results. Coaching provides a safe, confidential space for reflection and feedback for the client to air concerns, consider solutions and make more conscious decisions.

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. Coaching borrows from both consulting and therapy.

How Can Coaching Help Me?

• Develop management and leadership skills
• Increase your confidence and competency
• Manage your time more effectively
• Develop balance in your personal life
• Manage conflict better
• Handle stress better, stop feeling overwhelmed
• Gain clarity about a career path
• Manage organizational change or address a specific organizational challenge
• Prepare for and manage an executive transition
• Improve working relationships with a team, staff or board members
• Navigate a personal or professional transition

How can coaching contribute to my development as a leader?

• Gain new perspective
• Build confidence
• Retain valued employees
• Develop new leaders
• Bring renewed energy to longtime leaders so they can recommit to the tasks ahead

How does coaching contribute to the success of my organization?

• Stronger Leadership
• Smoother Transitions
• Employee Retention
• Improved Employee and Team Performance

What are the Coach’s Responsibilities?

• Set the stage for the coaching engagement by establishing structure and frequency of sessions aligned with client’s needs
• Establish ground rules with the client
• Maintain confidentiality
• Help client identify strengths and developmental areas
• Work with client to create an individual development plan which provides actionable and useful goals
• Assess the current situation. This might include an initial individual development assessment process, an in-depth interview, and/or interviews with specific client colleagues or relations
• Notice improvements no matter how small; recognize that change takes time
• Provide honest and direct feedback
• Include discussion of coaching goals throughout coaching engagement
• Support the learning process with relevant assignments
• Be prepared and on time for meetings

What are my responsibilities?

• Try new behaviors
• Be open to new learning
• Solicit feedback on how you are doing
• Be honest – openly share what’s working and what isn’t
• Be prepared and on time for meetings

How exactly does coaching work?

• Coaching sessions are conducted in person and/or on the telephone
• Meetings are typically one to one and half hours long every other week or weekly depending on the your needs
• Sessions may be supplemented by follow-through emails
• Coaching, which is not advice, therapy or counseling, may address specific personal or professional issues, leadership challenges or questions about your life’s chapters
• Coaching concentrates on your future options and choices
• If assignments are agreed upon, you will be expected to practice new approaches, read recommended material and engage in reflective observations