What is coaching? Do you show how to do things better?
It is a misconception that coaching ‘shows you the way’. What it actually does is empowers individuals or teams to identify their goals, and through a set of processes, identify positive actions to move forward towards the desired goal. As individuals or teams, you are the masters of your own destiny. As Timothy Gallwey puts it “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them.”
Coaching explores and focuses on future events, unlike counselling or therapy which predominantly looks to the past for answers, or tutoring which is associated with academic learning, or mentoring where an experienced person will advise those with less experience. Coaching is based on the concept that the answer lies within the individual, and the belief that when an individual takes responsibility for their actions, goals are far more likely to be achieved than if an individual is just told what to do.
What happens in a coaching session?
Sessions are based around the clients’ goals. We use incisive questioning to explore issues that may be hidden beneath the surface, and to extract answers from the quagmire of thoughts that rattle around in our heads. Where applicable, exercises are used to provide further clarity, and each session will conclude with some defined actions for the individual to undertake to move closer to their desired goal/outcome. Sequential sessions start with a review of these actions and their degree of success, and then continue to the next item on the agenda.
Are they face to face? Where do the sessions take place?
Depending on your requirements, coaching can be undertaken in various ways.
- One on one sessions are more often carried out via telephone, as you do not necessarily have to be present as coaching is about conversing, However, face to face sessions can be arranged, if preferred. Skype is another format commonly used, and this can be via audio or video link if desired.
- Group sessions or conferences are normally face to face, but when individuals are geographically dispersed, teleconference sessions can be arranged. Also, if individual, one on one sessions within an organisation are required, they will take place at venues arranged by the client.
- Follow up sessions will fall into either of the two aforementioned categories.
Please note, additional overnight, travel costs and travel time are chargeable.
How many sessions are needed, and how frequent are they?
An initial conversation (via phone for private individuals, or meeting with business clients) will be held to agree the extent of the coaching programme required, and to establish an understanding for the commitment from both parties.
Following the initial ‘welcome meeting’, an agenda for three, six or nine initial sessions will be set, with the option for further sessions to be discussed during the process.
The general agreement is for sessions to be every two weeks or up to a month. This allows enough time to complete action items, but not so much time that the momentum starts to wane.
The frequency and timing of sessions are mutually agreed between coach and the individual. On occasion, situations may arise that make re-scheduling necessary. Although both parties agree to minimise re-scheduling, there is an understanding that should this become a norm, the full charge will be applied to aborted sessions.
How long do the sessions last?
Individual sessions will normally last for 45-60 minutes.
Group sessions vary depending on Client requirements.
What does it cost?
Please contact us for our fee structures. Each set of sessions are designed to meet your requirements, allocation of time, locale and other variables. No one design fits all.
What happens between sessions, and can I contact you?
Each session will produce an Action or Task, designed to move the individual towards their specific goal. The period between sessions is normally used to carry out the action.
Some individuals like to keep the coach informed of their progress between sessions, and Coaching to Success email links remain open for this information to be received. All channels of communication remain open between sessions, should any client require urgent attention or wish to share a success.
How confidential is the process?
Confidentiality is at the core of Coaching to Success’ operation. Information shared within a coaching session is completely confidential, whether it relates to work or personal issues.
In the circumstances listed below, this confidentiality will be broken, and individual / organisation names may be disclosed:
- Signs of a criminal nature / event
- The individual or group are in mortal danger
- Self-harm issues
Should the coach feel it necessary to break this confidentiality, the person(s) in session will be informed.
It should also be noted that where an organisation is paying for an individual’s coaching, the individual will have the freedom to discuss issues relevant to both their business and personal needs.
Are my details sold or shared with a third party?
Absolutely NOT! We keep records purely for communication between you and us.
Coaching to Success welcomes the opportunity to discuss what we can do for you, your organisation or the teams/members within it. Contact us now to book a FREE INTRODUCTORY MEETING.