What is Coaching?
Have you ever thought about leveling up your life, career or business and considered doing that by reaching out to a coach? In this article I will explain what coaching is, what results you can expect from working with a coach and how to choose the right coach for you.
WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching is a tool that allows clients to grow and achieve their life or business goals faster and more efficiently. It also helps to overcome fears, limiting beliefs and undesirable behavioral patterns. Coaching is often confused with consulting, mentoring or therapy. To understand the difference, let’s imagine that you are willing to learn how to ride a bicycle. Here is how each of the specialists will assist you:
A consultant will give you an expert opinion on how to ride a bicycle;
A mentor will show you how to ride a bicycle as he is an experienced rider himself;
A psychologist will ask you about past reasons that held you back from learning to ride a bicycle;
A coach will support you in learning how to ride a bicycle until you can ride on your own.
As you can see, a coach is supporting you during the learning process and lets you go when you are ready to go on your own.
COACHING PROCESS
A coaching partnership usually lasts from 3-12 months. It starts with a conversation to establish a safe space to work, define coaching goals and agree on the frequency, length, place and price of the sessions.
Each coaching session is a purposeful conversation. It starts with setting a session goal and exploring what exactly the client wants to achieve. Coaches use questions and coaching techniques to support the client to reach their desired goal. Coaching session ends with defined steps of action that the client commits to implement in their life.
Coaching process can happen one-on-one or in a group setting, and it can be face-to-face, or via phone or video call. Coaching conversations are confidential and are not exposed to anyone else.
COACHING RESULTS
Each client is unique, and the results of coaching depend on clients' coaching goals. Here are a few “general” results I’ve seen my clients achieve with support of coaching:
Clarity about life or business vision, values, goals and priorities;
Personal and professional strengths development;
Increased self-awareness;
Higher satisfaction and motivation in life or business;
Better personal and professional relationships and communication;
Clear strategies for achieving goals and overcoming obstacles.
Coaching will help to shape your life or business future the way you want it, but it’s not a magic pill. You have to be open to the coaching process and need to have the willingness to change and implement your session outcomes in life.
HOW TO CHOOSE A COACH?
I would suggest choosing a coach who is trained in professional coaching competencies and follows the code of ethics. A good coach will be empathetic and curious, will listen to you and ask questions that will challenge you to see different perspectives. When choosing a coach, it is equally important to listen to your “gut feeling”. Can you trust the coach? Do you want this coach to support you in your journey?
The truth is coaching can be very beneficial to everyone, regardless of the goal. If you are having a genuine idea about starting your own business or making changes in your life, a coach can support you in your way. Before signing up for long-term coaching, I would suggest having a “chemistry” session with the coach. Some coaches offer the first meeting for free or at a reduced cost and some still charge for the meeting.
Author: Elina Tiliba, MBA, certified life coach
