Coaching FAQ
Coaching is a partnership between a coach (that’s me) and a client (that’s you) that supports your goals to create change, make decisions, solve problems, move forward, and/or achieve results. As the client, you will come to each session with a genuine intent to learn, grow, and move forward. As your coach, I will serve you through active listening, observations, and non-directive questioning.
A coaching conversation is a conversation with a purpose. In every session, I will help you to get clarity on:
- What you want (i.e., what is most pressing for you in that moment)
- Your measures of success for the session/coaching engagement
- What it important and meaningful to you about the topic
- Your ideas, barriers and roadblocks
- Next steps for action
You may be ready for coaching if one or more of the following statements resonate with you:
- I have a topic, challenge, issue, or situation that I am willing to be coached on
- I am willing to establish a coaching relationship
- I am eager to explore diverse solutions to my challenges
- I am open and willing to participate in a mutual learning partnership
- I would like to grow my self-awareness and expand my perspectives
- I am open to unpacking my beliefs, attitudes, and values as they relate to my challenges
- I buy in to the premise that I have the solutions within me
Coaching conversations are grounded in confidentiality and trust. A typical conversation begins with you bringing forward a topic, issue, challenge, or situation that is top of mind. You set and own the learning agenda.
My role as the coach is to facilitate exploration of the topic through discussion around barriers, different perspectives, and neutral feedback/observations. I will work with you to create a safe space for open and reflective discussion.
Everyone gets something slightly different from working with a coach. Clients have told me that they find value in having regularly scheduled time to think out loud, to focus on themselves, and to have someone to hold them accountable. Other people appreciate a neutral party to be a sounding board, to help them realize that they already have the answers, or to gain new perspectives.
Some general benefits of coaching can be:
- Deep learning that “sticks” beyond the coaching conversation
- Improved ability to navigate rapid and continuous change
- Better relationships through more deliberate communication
- Increased effectiveness as a leader, boss, or employee
- Greater awareness of self and self-agency
- Enhanced ability to identify goals and achieve desired outcomes
It depends on what is most pressing for you. Part of coaching can be an exploration of what you would like to be coached on!
In general, coaching is a development activity that can help you to get unstuck, move forward towards a goal, gain clarity, set boundaries, and so much more. I am hesitant to identify “typical topics” and have found that many people start coaching with the intention to address one particular goal/issue and end up going down an entirely different path.
It depends on what you want to work on, how much time you have to put in the work, and what new information shows up for you in coaching.
It also depends on the nature of our relationship and if you’ve experienced coaching before. Generally, I recommend a 3 or 6-month time commitment. We would start with weekly sessions for the first month, bi-weekly for the second month, and then monthly when you feel ready. After you have completed a long-term coaching engagement, booking one-off sessions may also work. Sessions are typically 60 minutes.
For coaching to be effective, you will likely need several sessions. I see coaching as a long-term development activity; one that requires reflection, practice, and work. It is common for coaching clients to start to see beliefs and behaviours that are no longer working for them but they have spent their whole life learning and practicing. These habits and views took a lifetime to create and will take time to unlearn and replace as well.
I am based in Vancouver, BC. If schedules permit, I am happy to come to meet you or we can schedule a coaching call over Zoom or by phone.
*During this time of physical distancing, all coaching conversations will happen over the phone or a video call (Zoom).
Each coaching engagement is customized for specific clients. If you are considering coaching, I invite you to schedule a call or meet up and I can share more information with you.
Part of the coaching experience is reflecting on where you are at, what you have learned and where you are relative to where you said you would like to be. I will ask you to reflect at the end of every coaching session but I have found that there is no guarantee as to when the learning moment(s) will occur for you. Sometimes it is in the session but more often, it is at some future date. Coaching is not a quick fix solution. It is a process and a journey.
I promise that I will put in as much effort as you do. Together we will partner to help you get to where you want to go!
As a coach, I am bound by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics (www.coachingfederation.org/codeofethics) and confidentiality standards. What this means is that I will not share anything specific that we talk about during our coaching conversations. You are welcome to share whatever you would like outside of the coaching session as these are your stories to share.
It is important to note that the coach / client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (like the medical and legal professions) and communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognized privilege.
I will remind you of my responsibility for confidentiality at the beginning of each coaching session.
I welcome any questions about confidentiality.
No. Coaching is a distinct approach to having a conversation focused on self-reflection and action. It is not about a coach telling you the “right” answers or providing advice. A coach will not sell you information (consulting), show you the way (mentoring), or try to fix you (counseling).
For more information about coaching visit: www.coachfederation.org and click on the Coaching FAQ’s
Listen to your gut and do what feels right for you. Think about how you want to be supported and challenged and what style is likely to bring out the best in you. Every coach has their own signature presence. Mine in a few words is…a curious, compassionate, and grounded thinking partner.
But don’t take my word for it. The best way to know if you connect with a coach is to talk to them. So let’s set up a time to talk.