What is Professional Coaching?
The International Coach Federation (ICF) – the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession, defines coaching as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
Similarly, The Coaches Training Institute, considered the “Harvard” of coach training schools, defines coaching as: “a powerful alliance designed to forward and enhance the lifelong process of human learning, effectiveness and fulfillment.”
Professional Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from mentoring, training, advice/consulting or therapy (which tends to focus on healing and exploring one’s personal past). However, while coaching is not therapy, it can be very therapeutic!
What is the Benefit of Hiring an ICF Certified Coach?
An International Coach Federation (ICF) coaching credential confirms the coach has received professional training from a program specifically designed to teach coaching skills in alignment with the ICF Competencies and Code of Ethics and has demonstrated a proficient understanding and use of these competencies. Sandy holds two ICF approved designations (Professional Certified Coach and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) and adheres to the ICF code of Ethics for her conduct.
If you are an individual considering hiring a coach or looking to find the right coach for your organization, Sandy recommends asking the coach if they have been specifically trained in coaching skills and currently hold or are in the process of acquiring an ICF credential.
How does Coaching Help?
No matter what title you give to coaching – Executive, Leadership, Career or Personal – everyone who seeks a coach is interested in the same thing – positive CHANGE! Sometimes it’s about major change, like finding your purpose and a new career. Other times the change desired is more subtle. Either way, Sandy helps her clients create tangible results in a wide range of areas. Does any of this sound like you?
You want to….
- Be an inspiring people manager but haven’t yet found the magic button?
- Be able to navigate difficult conversations with greater skill and ease?
- Clarify your gifts, talents, strengths and passions so you can discover your ideal job and feel on purpose? (As a Certified Sacred Gifts Guide, Sandy will help you discover your unique combination of Sacred Gifts – those inexplicable abilities that we have, from birth to death, that allow us to do ordinary things, extraordinarily well.)
- Be a leader with greater presence, confidence and influence?
- Stop being hijacked by your emotional triggers and consistently find your powerful voice?
- Increase your life balance and fulfillment and work less overtime?
OR, maybe it’s simply that you….
- Would value a safe place to explore sensitive business or personal concerns?
- Would welcome support for making objective, confident decisions in the face of workload pressures?
- Know an ‘official’ accountability partner would keep you on track towards your stretch goals?
- Know you aren’t tapping your aliveness & potential and feel ready to make some important changes?
- Would appreciate a neutral sounding board for testing ideas, brainstorming and finding creative solutions?
- Have a sneaking suspicion you aren’t living the life you’re meant to be living?!
Coaching can also be successfully used for outplacement, coaching performance management issues and post workshop transfer of learning and skill integration.
How does Coaching work?
In a nutshell, the client’s job is to choose the focus of the conversation and the coach’s job is to listen, observe and ask insightful thought-provoking questions that help raise the consciousness level of the client. The coach then helps the client discover and clarify what they want to achieve and together they elicit solutions. Then the coach holds them accountable for follow through.
Do Coaches Give Answers?
Yes! While ‘pure’ coaching is a process for helping clients access their own wisdom and strategies, Sandy is always noticing how her clients will be best served. There are times when clients want to be able to ask her opinion, have access to her tips and tools, and at the same time know they’ll have the freedom and latitude to modify that expertise so that it works for them as an individual. This blend of coaching, consulting and mentoring brings powerful results for clients.
The Partnership is Empowering
A coaching relationship is a unique relationship – one where it is ALL about you, the client. Your coach is not your best friend, parent or partner. They are your unbiased champion. There is no hidden agenda – they only want for you what YOU want for yourself.
You coach calls you forth to your best thinking, your highest values, your deepest convictions, your biggest dreams, your boldest actions, your edge, your magnificence – your Greatness! With a coach by your side, you take yourself more seriously, accomplish your goals faster with greater clarity and awareness of choice, more empowerment, less stress, better results and ultimately, a shift in personal consciousness. Wow!
Coaching Benefits Go Beyond the Bottom-line
Coaching is a powerful form of support, leading to returns on investment many times over. However, the most compelling benefits go beyond ROI’s because coaching impacts the effectiveness and well-being of an individual as well as the people they influence. Moreover, the results are lasting and sustainable. Coaching changes lives!
What are the Logistics?
The homework between sessions is very practical and allows the client to increase self-awareness, take action, reflect, learn and create inspired outcomes. The typical coaching engagement begins with a 2 hour Intake Discovery Session (in person where possible) and continues for 4-6 months of bi-weekly phone coaching. (Phone coaching is popular, convenient, good for the environment and highly effective!)
Are You Ready for Coaching?
Over the years, Sandy has discovered that coaching clients who share these attributes gain the most from a coaching partnership. They are:
- Ready to explore new possibilities
- Willing to change, learn, grow and be supportable
- Willing to be honest with themselves
- Open to explore challenges outside their comfort zone
- Driven to discover their full potential
Connect with Sandy today!
If you are considering working with a coach, please feel free to contact Sandy to book a complementary consultation.
Coaching is like chocolate – you won’t know how good it is until you try it!
