Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coaching?

There are many different types of coaching. Some of the main types of coaching are:

  • Executive and Leadership coaching.
  • Career coaching.
  • Life coaching.
  • Business coaching. 
  • Sports coaching.

They can all be done one-to-one, with a group, or with a team.

There can be overlap between the different types, but whatever the area of coaching the thing that distinguishes coaching is:

  • Coaching is not therapy.
  • A coach does not give solutions.
Mentoring, consulting and advising can all be extremely valuable – but they are quite different to coaching.

When is coaching the right intervention?

Coaching is a suitable leadership development intervention if any of the following resonate:

  • You need to build your confidence about a new role/challenge.
  • You are having trouble making an important decision.
  • You have changed role and you need some help to adapt.
  • You are feeling dissatisfied with your work.
  • You need to get your ‘mojo’ back.
  • You need some strategies to improve a relationship.
  • You need help to manage workplace conflict.
  • You need to stop procrastinating and start doing!
  • You are having trouble speaking-up and contributing at work in the way you’d like to.
  • Your work/life balance could do with some ‘tweaking’, but you’re not sure where to start.

When is coaching the wrong intervention?

Coaching is not suitable when:

  • There are significant performance issues.
  • There are apparent mental health issues, which should be referred to a suitably qualified practitioner.
  • There is no commitment to change, or outright resistance to coaching.

How is coaching different to counselling, or mentoring?

Image courtesy of ICFA-Victoria Branch

What should I expect from my coach?

As a first step, we will discuss your needs and determine if coaching is the most appropriate intervention. If coaching is the right intervention, in the first coaching session we will clarify your objective for coaching.

There is no “off the shelf” coaching program, because coaching is bespoke to you. Each coaching session is unique and I will provide relevant resources to assist you with your specific objective.

I don’t recommend a specific diagnostic tool – instead we will talk about the best way to collect information that will be useful to you in achieving your objective. In coaching we use data to create self-awareness, but there are a range of methodologies available such as:

  • Self-assessments (personality, strengths, motivations)
  • Seeking qualitative feedback from key stakeholders
  • 360 degree feedback
  • Self-observation (of feelings, reactions, emotions) 

As an ICF certified coach, I have pledged to act in accordance with the Standards of the ICF Code of Ethics and to fulfill my ethical and legal obligations.

What will my coach expect from me?

Your first (and most important!) job is to choose the right coach. Coaching is a very special relationship, based on absolute confidence and trust, so it’s important to make sure a connection exists before you choose a coach. Most coaches will offer you a free introductory meeting.

Should you decide to go ahead with coaching, I will ask you to sign a Coaching Agreement. The Coaching Agreement outlines your responsilities and some of these include:

  • To prepare for coaching sessions.
  • To participate openly and honestly in coaching sessions.
  • To experiment between sessions and apply your learnings.

Coaching is not a ‘magic pill’ and what you get out of it will depend on how much you are prepared to put in. I have seen some amazing transformations with coaching clients – these transformational changes are most likely to occur when people are honest and follow through on their commitments.