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What Can Coaching Do
for You?
Coaching is
about conversations. Allowing the client to choose the topic,
the coach then listens, observes, focuses, and questions. The
role of the coach is to guide by questioning the client's
answers, more than answering questions. This does not mean that
teaching isn't involved in coaching. However, when the client
takes responsibility and ownership of the process, the learning
deepens, their performance improves, and their quality of life
is enhanced.
Coaching is an experience based on
collection of data, namely, 360 Feedback, personality profiles,
and development needs. The coach debriefs the assessments and
assists the coachee in creating goals towards his/her leadership
development. The coach then holds the coachee accountable in
meeting those goals. Further, the coach's role is to help the coachee stretch out of his/her comfort zone by asking the hard
questions, discussing the undiscussables and providing valuable
constructive feedback.
Mentoring, on the other hand, is learning and
being guided by an advisor - someone who has been where you want
to be. A mentor speaks from experience and the wisdom gained
from his/her experiences. Often we advise that if you are in a
mentoring relationship, it is important to remember as a mentee
to "bring something to the relationship." Mentoring is more of
a give and take relationship, whereas coaching is a relationship
that is heavy on the "taking" side.
Kivler Communications - Getting Extraordinary Results
with...
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An innate ability to create a
comfort level quickly with groups and individuals
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A safe, supportive environment
where people discuss the "undiscussable"
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The knowledge people need to
make work easier, less stressful, and more fun
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Answers to issues that
interrupt work relationships, work flow, and personal
productivity
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Needs assessments including
surveys and focus groups to determine the real problem to
address
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Pre- and post-assessment
reports
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360 Feedback to help
management and executives find their blind spots
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Information that can
immediately make a difference in participants' productivity
and success on the job
The Coaching Process
Coaching is about
conversations. Allowing the client to choose the topic, the
coach then listens, observes, focuses, and questions. The
session usually starts with the question, "What is the most
important topic we need to talk about today?" This opening
question allows the client to focus the conversation, while the
coach listens, contributes observations and questions. This
interaction creates clarity and moves the client into
action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing
greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on
where the client is today and what she is willing to do to get
to where she wants to be tomorrow.
Coach's Responsibilities:
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Discover, clarify, and align
with what the client wants to achieve.
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Encourage client
self-discovery.
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Elicit client-generated
solutions and strategies.
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Hold the client as responsible
and accountable.
Preparation for Coaching:
Before the coaching begins, the
client fills out a Client Prep Form and faxes it to the
coach. This gives the client an opportunity to think about the
call before actually making it. It also gives the coach a
"head's up" on what the client call should focus on. Following
the face-to-face or call, the client faxes back the Call
Evaluation Form to sum up what progress was made and what action
steps need to be taken.
Getting the Most From Your Coach
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Tip #1 -
Use your coach as a resource,
not as an answer.
Your coach has
lived a lot, seen a lot, and coached others who are facing
similar challenges. Your coach has been trained to listen,
inspire, educate, manage, and guide. Your coach has been
trained to initiate conversations, share ideas, make
requests, clarify your thinking, and support your
decisions. Your coach does not have the answers, but you
do. Your coach will help you discover them for yourself. So
let her.
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Tip #2 - Keep and
be on time for your coaching sessions.
It is not an
exaggeration to say that you will probably reach your goals
faster if you make your coaching sessions a priority. Do
not cancel or reschedule. Do be on time. To be on time for
an in-person or phone appointment is to be there (rested,
present, and ready to work) at the prearranged time.
Coaching is a gift to yourself.
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Tip #3 - Come to
the coaching call prepared with an agenda.
It's your
goal and vision. It's your life. It's your problem. It's
your opportunity. So, get what you want out of each
session; don't wait for the coach to initiate. Come to each
session with a list of questions, a concern, and an
opportunity. You may want advice about a problem that you
are ready to solve. Use the Client Prep Form.
Now let the coach help.
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Tip #4 -
Relentlessly get your needs
met.
Needs? Like
air, water, shelter, love? Yes, but there are other which,
when not met, keep you from expressing your values, reaching
your goals and living your vision. Ask your coach to help
you discover what's critical to get what you need in life.
Getting your needs met is not
optional.
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Tip #5 - Inspire
the coach, in good times and bad.
A coach needs
to be inspired by you, your actions and what is happening in
your life. It's easy when things are going well, but how do
you inspire the coach (and yourself) when you've hit a
snag? You can do this by being human, fully communicating
about your feelings, by listening to the coaching, and
getting back in the saddle when you're ready.
A coach needs to be inspired, not impressed.
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Tip #6 - Get
yourself heard.
Being fully
listened to is an integral aspect of coaching. The more you
are fully heard, the more you can accomplish. So, make sure
your coach is hearing all of what you are saying, even if
you can't articulate it fully. All
you really want in life is to be fully heard.
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Tip #7 -
Under-promise, don't over-promise.
Sometimes you
may find yourself promising yourself and your coach too
much. Experience has shown that most clients do better
promising less and accomplishing more. Playing catch up
with too many promises to too many people robs you of
energy. Under- promise, produce
more; enjoy the surplus.
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Tip#8 - Tell others
about being coached.
"Having a
coach" should not be a secret. You may find it empowering
to share what you are learning and accomplishing with your
coach. Remember, you are the lucky one to have a coach to
work with. "You alone must do it,
but you don't have to do it alone."
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Tip #9 -
Keep yourself well between
sessions.
Coaching can
require energy-- emotionally, intellectually, and
physically. Given this, I want you to take extraordinary
care of yourself while being coached. Only you know what
this looks like, but I suggest you go much farther than you
ever have before. Develop ten daily habits that keep you
well. There is no point to wealth
without your health.
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Tip #10 -
Enjoy the call.
We have work
to do together, but that doesn't always mean intense
effort. After a number of sessions, you may find that we
laugh a lot during the call at life, how you've grown, how
things happen. Coaching calls aren't frivolous, but they
are enjoyable, for both of us. You
deserve to enjoy your life now!
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