What is Coaching?
Coaching, as defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), is “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential.” It is a collaborative and client-led relationship designed to foster self-discovery, growth, and goal achievement.
Non-Directive Nature
Coaching is a non-directive process. As your coach, I will not give advice, provide solutions, or guide you based on my experiences. Instead, I will act as a partner, creating a safe space for exploration and enabling you to uncover your own answers.
You Set the Destination
Think of coaching as a journey where you, as the client, set the destination. Along the way, there may be detours, explorations, and even dead ends that we will navigate together. The destination might evolve as you discover new insights, but the process is ultimately a vehicle to help you achieve self-discovery and meaningful goals.
Goal-Focused but Flexible
While coaching often begins with a specific goal, the process is flexible. Goals can evolve as we work together, allowing us to adapt to what feels most relevant and impactful for you.
How Coaching Differs from Mentoring or Therapy
- Mentoring: Involves guidance and advice based on the mentor’s experience.
- Therapy: Focuses on processing past experiences and healing.
- Coaching: Centres on the present and future, empowering you to navigate your journey and achieve your goals.
How We Explore Client Goals
Coaching is typically structured around multiple sessions, starting with an overarching goal that is explored and refined over time. Each session focuses on smaller, individual goals that contribute to your larger aspirations.
Goal Exploration
- We begin by identifying what you’d like to achieve overall.
- From there, we break this down into actionable, session-by-session goals to ensure steady progress.
- Coaching can lead to a variety of outcomes, such as greater clarity, improved confidence, better decision-making, or meaningful progress toward your goals.
Triad Meeting
- In some cases, a triad meeting may be held. This involves a discussion between you, your coach, and any relevant stakeholders such as your manager to align on the coaching goals and ensure shared understanding.
- This is entirely optional and designed to be held lightly, with the client’s preferences at the centre.
What is the Chemistry Call and Why is it Important?
The chemistry call is a 30-45 minute informal conversation designed to:
- Help us get to know each other.
- Clarify what coaching is and how it works.
- Discuss your goals and explore what you hope to achieve.
- Ensure we’re a good fit to work together.
This call is an essential step in building trust and creating the foundation for a successful coaching relationship.
Structure of the Coaching Agreement and Coaching in General
Coaching typically follows a structured agreement to ensure clarity and focus. For my ICF accreditation, the sessions are structured as follows:
- Number of Sessions: 3 sessions of 1.5 hours each or 6 sessions of 60 minutes each.
- Focus:
- I very much believe we are whole people, and as such, the boundaries between our professional and personal lives often blur together.
- My training has covered both personal and professional coaching, and I am here to support you with whatever arises during our time together.
- Coaching is tailored to your unique needs and goals. Whether you want to explore challenges at work, enhance personal growth, improve relationships, build confidence, or something else entirely, our sessions will adapt to what matters most to you.
- As a client, your role is to bring topics that matter most to you and engage actively in the process.
- Confidentiality: All sessions are fully confidential. Anonymised details (e.g., session dates and durations) may be logged as part of my accreditation requirements but no identifying information will ever be shared.
The coaching agreement ensures a clear understanding of expectations, helping us maximise the value of our time together.