Why work with a coach?
 

Working in today’s world is more complex than ever.  Whether one is working in an organization, starting up a business or running an existing business, the frantic pace, information overload, complexity, and uncertainty present plenty of challenge both in achieving desired results at work and in business and in developing a work and life balance that makes room for all the things that matter most in your life.

One way to improve the success rate of achieving your desired results is to partner with a coach.  Successful athletes and performers have known for years how working with a coach can take their performance to a higher level.  Coaching is about continuously expanding your personal and organizational capacity to perform and learn and is just as applicable in business and life as it is in sports and the performing arts.

What kind of people work with a coach? 

Just about anyone who is looking to move their performance and life satisfaction to a higher level and who would like an objective partner to support their process.  Entrepreneurs, business executives, career changers, and people who are looking for more in life and work all use coaches.

What does a coach do to help me achieve my goals?

A good coach:

Supports you in achieving your goals and objectives. He or she is in your court working in your best interest.

Asks thought provoking and focusing questions.  These kinds of questions surface underlying issues or reframe an issue in a way that provides new insight and clarity.  A coach will ask the questions that no one else is asking.  She or he will also ask questions that help focus issues and priorities in support of your goals.

Provides non-judgmental, honest, confidential feedback.  Truly honest, productive feedback is rare in today’s business world.  Friends and relatives may have a difficult time being objective because of their emotional or economic ties to you. 

Serves as a confidential sounding board or thinking partner.  Many people find it easier to focus thoughts, ideas and action planning when they have a partner to talk to.  Finding a partner within an organization who can maintain confidentiality, be objective and is available on a regular basis can be difficult.

Provides an impetus toward action.  All of us have a tendency to get caught up in the day to day fires that demand our attention, often leaving behind the thing we know in our hearts are most important.  Having someone to keep the critical few important things up in front of us increases the probability of those things getting addressed.  Commitments are more likely to be met when they’ve been shared with someone who will check back with us on our progress.  A coach can keep your commitments and areas of high importance out in the open where they can’t be overlooked or postponed.

Reflects back a different perspective.  Individuals and groups typically have patterns of thinking and interacting that are almost invisible to them.  Someone outside of the dynamics of the group is more able to offer a different way to look at a situation or a problem and consequently able to offer an alternative to an individual’s or group’s perspective.

What does coaching require of me?

Unlike a consultant who provides their own answers and solutions, a coach works with you to provide the guidance and focus that enables you to establish priorities, explore possibilities and develop the answers and actions that are right for you and your organization. 

Coaching is a partnership.  To make the partnership successful requires your commitment to:

Discovery and Change.  The desire to be open, to learn, to make significant changes, to be open to new ways of thinking and doing things to achieve results.

Ownership of Desired Results.  A coach is your partner to help you achieve your goals. You are the only one who can define what you want, make decision and take action to achieve your goals.

Taking time. Although not time consuming, coaching does require a commitment to regular interaction and follow up to be successful.  Typically, coaching sessions run for 50 minutes each, three times per month and are done by phone.  There is flexibility to work your sessions into your schedule.

If you’d like more information, call us at 248-229-8015.  We will be happy to answer your questions and provide a free sample session.