An Introduction to Coaching Services
Q&A: Answers to Your Basic Questions About Coaching
What is coaching?
Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process that will inspire you to maximize your personal and professional potential. The coaching process is tailored to your individual goals and will help you to generate ideas, provide clarity and focus, and identify specific action steps. We will discuss where you are now in order to develop a strategic plan composed of manageable action steps to reach your objectives.
**Presently, no specific training is legally required in order for someone to call themselves a “coach.” Those who are serious about their work as a professional coach have many educational programs from which to receive training from a variety of organizations. Despite the lack of industry-wide regulation, coaching is a professional discipline, and effective coaching is the result of a learned set of skills that are used to support, empower, and transform. You will want to make sure that any coach you choose has obtained the proper level of professional coach training.
Is coaching like therapy, mentoring or consulting?
While coaching is a process to help others, it is not therapy, mentoring or consulting. Coaching is a forward thinking process starting with the underlying belief that you are already creative, resourceful, and whole. The focus of counseling is often centered on past issues with which you may find yourself stuck and struggling. Unlike mentors and consultants, your coach will not impart their personal agenda on your unique path. Your coach is always happy to share with you what they know, but the coaching relationship is about you.
Why should I work with a coach?
There are many reasons why individuals and groups choose to work with a coach, some of which include:
- There is a gap in knowledge, skills, confidence, or resources
- A big stretch, challenge, or opportunity is being asked or required, and it is time sensitive
- There is a desire to accelerate results
- There is a need for a course correction in work or life
- There is a lack of clarity, and there are choices to be made
- Work and life are out of balance, and this is creating unwanted consequences
- There is a need and a desire to be better organized and more self-managing
What are the benefits I will see?
You can expect to see many beneficial changes, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Fresh perspectives on life and career challenges and opportunities
- Enhanced thinking and decision making skills
- Increased confidence in carrying out work and life roles
- Increased productivity
- Achievement of personally relevant goals
Check out the variety of coaching programs we offer on the “Coaching Options” page
