Coaching Q/A
Introduction
I compiled this Q / A which I find helpful for my clients to understand the process of coaching.
What is Executive Coaching?
Coaching helps us see things differently, from a fresh perspective, which leads to a change in our thinking and ultimately, changes in our behaviour. It essentially focuses on increasing effectiveness, performance and personal development. Coaching isn't about 'telling' but about facilitating the process to enable individuals and teams to find their own unique way forward, to reach their potential by gaining clarity on their goals and what does success of these goals look like. The process inevitably encourages open and honest dialogue, that challenges existing beliefs and behaviours and reflects on fixed patterns or mindsets that no longer support these goals.
Who would benefit from Coaching?
In my experiences, as both coach and client, everyone can benefit from coaching. The power and impact of coaching comes from its solution focused approach, where you hold agency for your decisions and outcomes. The most immediate benefit is to help clarify meaningful value-based goals and identify next steps in relation to achieving these. The key benefit I experienced is increased self-awareness as to how my values and beliefs align to my career and I’ve certainly experienced enhanced levels of personal responsibility, self-confidence and self-reliance.
Why is Coaching more relevant now?
On an individual level, Coaching is an effective way to process and understand our experiences and behaviours while reflecting on our perspectives, patterns and mindsets. At the broader organisational level, coaching helps integrate change and can focus on nurturing leadership talent in high potential individuals or teams. In challenging uncertain times, people reflect on their purpose and professional coaching can help provide a safe environment to discuss and explore what this means to us and how it aligns with our goals.
Can coaching be completed remotely?
Coaching works extremely well in virtual settings. Remote sessions don’t immediately allow for the same real time connection as a face to face session, but by allowing additional time to build rapport at the start of sessions, the benefits are just as impactful. As with all coaching sessions, I recommend a generous placeholder for your diary, to allow time to reflect afterwards without jumping to the next meeting. It is important that both coach and client are committed to participating so I always suggest turning off distracting notifications but the key is to relax, be open and allow the session to flow.
So what does the coaching process involve?
Usually one to one coaching involves a number of sessions and is kicked off with a brief introductory call to discuss openly what the process entails, what are your expectations and agree how to work together, followed by the initial coaching session which can range from one to two hours or as mutually agreed.
