Chances are that you know somebody who works with a coach, perhaps a colleague, a friend, or a competitor. Perhaps you yourself are “coaching” someone in your organization, team or department in an effort to implement change.
But what is coaching really?
Coaching may mean different things to different people, but the International Coach Federation (ICF), the leading regulatory organization for coaches worldwide, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
Think of it as a method for personal and professional development designed to achieve results based on the client’s goals.
Coach members of the ICF worldwide will be celebrating the 10th annual International Coaching Week
February 7-14, with events taking place locally, globally, and online
to educate the general public about the coaching profession.
Coaches are encouraged to engage in pro-bono activities to further
the education. The International Coach Federation has more than 16,000
members in over 90 countries. It is dedicated to advancing the coaching
profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent
certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed
coaches.
As part of International Coaching Week, I will be offering pro-bono introductory coaching services to individuals, teams and organizations at Proactive Coaching Solutions. You can contact me at Liora@proactivecoachingsolutions.com. Take this opportunity to see what coaching can do for you.
"What can I gain from coaching?" you wonder.
Can you achieve your desired results without a coach? Absolutely!
But working with a coach can accelerate that process and help you get there faster.
Fast Company Magazine once wrote that coaching is “for people who value unambiguous feedback. If coaches have one thing in common, it’s that they are ruthlessly results-oriented.”
Engaging with a coach can provide you with a fresh perspective, turning challenges to opportunities. It can help you clarify direction or re-orient you back to your vision when you get lost in the day-to-day details. It can help you build interpersonal competencies or support your professional or executive development. You might want to work on your decision-making skills, your confidence or communication skills, or you might strive for an enriching work-life balance.
I have found that the most successful and rewarding coaching alliances have 3 basic components:
- The relationship you have with your coach - Can you relate? Is there synergy?
- Your commitment level - Change rarely happens if you’re only half way in.
- Your accountability index - You can expect your coach to hold you accountable.
Is a coach right for you?
Many professionals, businesses and organizations have turned to coaches to help them navigate a myriad of challenges or capitalize on opportunities for growth. Coaches can assist with individuals, teams, or entire organizations. They may help improve retention or morale, create and sustain a vision, or embrace change and transitions.
Still, coaching is not some “ miracle pill” from the Princess Bride. It is a change-seeking relationship based on accountability. When you sign up with a coach, you should expect to do some work and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day…
Not all coaches and clients are a good match and you should “interview” your coach like your coach is likely to interview you.
• Ask the potential coach to tell you about his or her coach specific training.
• Does the coach belong to a coaching organization? (For ethical oversight)
• How many years has the coach been coaching? (Remember that the coaching field is relatively new).
• Are there areas with which the coach most often works? (If you’re looking for life coaching but your coach is mostly an executive coach, you may want to keep looking)
• What specialized skill or experience does the coach have that may benefit the relationship?
• Ask the coach to tell you about his or her modality, philosophy and process of coaching.
• Ask to hear about some success stories that the coach has had with coaching clients. (Coaching is confidential so don’t expect to hear specific names).
Liora Rosen MS, MA is a professional and executive coach partnering with individuals, teams, and organizations to design and sustain a vision for professional growth and organizational excellence. She is a member of the ICF, and is currently serving her 4th year on the ICF Ethics and Standards Committee. She is the 2009 Chair of the Ethics Education sub-committee, and is a contributing writer to Coaching World, the ICF newsletter. She is also a member of the Michigan chapter of ICF (PCAM).
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