What is Coaching?

Coaching is a new and rapidly growing profession, profoundly different from consulting, therapy, or counseling.  Coaching uses a holistic approach to resolution, change and personal growth.  Coaching is about helping people achieve goals by analyzing where they are in their current circumstances and plan a strategy to get get from where they are, to where they want to be.  It’s about setting and achieving goals through action and accountability.  The coaching relationship is co-creative in nature.  Coach and client are equal partners working together on a common goal…the client’s agenda is always the focus of coaching sessions.

What is the Role of a Coach?

A Coach Is . . .

• Your personal guide, enabling you to achieve goals
• Your champion during transition or a catalyst for change
• Your personal trainer, helping you increase awareness, communication, life skills and develop personally and/or professionally
• Your business mentor and/or career guide
• Your sounding board when making choices or decisions
• Your inspiration or motivation when strong actions are needed
• Your unconditional support when you face challenges
• Your co-designer when creating an extraordinary project or redesigning your life
• Your beacon during stormy times
• Your wake-up call if you don’t hear your own inner voice
• And most importantly, a professional coach is your partner, helping you achieve success in what matters most to you

Many people confuse coaching with consulting or therapy, but they are very different in approach:

• Therapists are licensed health care professionals who are experts in helping heal wounds from the past and typically work with people struggling  with depression, trauma, anxiety, addictions, emotional repair or other diagnosed conditions
• Consultants are professionals who are hired for their expertise in a specific subject or field.  Consultants analyze client needs and recommend solutions based on their experience.  The role of a consultant is an authority figure giving advice to the client.
• Coaches are trained to support people who live in the present, are aimed at improving their performance, and seek a more satisfying future.  Coaches serve as strategic thinking and accountability partners utilizing coaching skills to help clients discover the solution that is best suited to their individual needs, wants and desires.  A coach is a catalyst, helping clients find the answers within themselves.  By asking challenging and thought provoking questions, a coach can unlock the potential in a client.  Coaching is forward moving and focused on the actions needed to achieve goals.

Benefits of Coaching

• Self-awareness
• Clarity & Focus
• Idea Generation & Development
• Strategy & Planning
• Action & Accountability
• Goal Achievement
• Personal & Professional Development (growth)
• Confidence
• Skills Development

Coaches usually select a coaching niche or specialty, however, a trained coach is able to coach in many different areas because coaching is a process.  Unlike consultants, coaches do not have to be experts in a specific field in order to effectively coach a client toward achievement of goals in a particular area.  The important thing is the relationship between coach and client.  The greater the synergy, the more effective will be the coaching results.

How Does Coaching Work?

During each coaching session the coach and the client discuss and explore the clients’ journey including goals, wins, challenges, and opportunities.  Coaches are trained to ask thought provoking questions, listen deeply to understand what you are saying as well as what is not said.  Coaches may suggest independent practice activities for the coming week.  These activities are the action steps you select toward reaching your goals.  With your permission, your coach can hold you accountable for achieving these goals, which will help ensure your success.

Do You Have Questions that have not been Answered Here?  If so, please e-mail or call  512-285-5800.  We are always happy to answer your questions.