Many people have never heard of coaching or are unfamiliar with what they could gain from coaching. So I'm sharing some information to help sort through the basics and equally important, decide if it's the right resource for you (now or in the future).
A coach is a trained professional who specializes in helping you reach your personal and professional goals. This is accomplished through a series of personalized and collaborative 1-on-1 or group sessions designed to help achieve your highest potential in any or all areas of your life. Professional coaches offer clients customized tools and techniques while providing an objective perspective. Coaches specialize in different areas. In coaching my clients, I specialize in two main focuses: career and leadership coaching.
While coaching can benefit people from all types of backgrounds and experiences, it often resonates most with those who want to improve personal growth or direct their focus towards a higher level of success. It's particularly helpful for folks facing challenges in their career or personal life, whether they're feeling stagnant, managing significant life changes, or simply seeking more fulfillment.
In my experience, clients who gain the most from coaching typically seek four essential components:
Coaches play a critical role in holding clients accountability and guiding them towards their goals.
No, my clients are at all stages of their career, from entry-level professionals to seasoned executives. Whether you're just starting out in your career and seeking guidance on career planning and skill development, or you're an experienced leader looking to level up your leadership effectiveness and navigate organizational change, coaching can provide valuable support with personalized guidance and insights that align with your unique path.
Many of my clients are busy business professionals, so I do most sessions via Zoom, phone or in some cases, text/messaging service so my clients can speak to me in the comfort and privacy of their preferred location, which also serves as a time-efficient approach. Typically, we’ll start by getting a snapshot of your current situation, current issues, and where you want to go. We’ll clarify life purpose, values, ambitions, and goals. We’ll also work to identify key barriers in your life, common frustrations, areas where you tend to get stuck. At the end of each session, we will talk through next steps and actions to keep you moving forward between sessions. Most sessions last ~60 mins. All information is kept 100% confidential, and I will never disclose to anyone that I’m working with you unless you give me explicit permission. At the conclusion of our work together, we’ll recap our progress & identify how you can best leverage what you’ve learned as you move onward in life.
The duration of career and leadership coaching can vary depending on your goals, needs, and the complexity of the challenges you're facing. Some individuals may benefit from short-term coaching engagements focused on specific goals or issues, while others may choose to engage in longer-term coaching relationships to support ongoing career development and growth. Coaches typically offer flexible options, including single sessions, packages, or ongoing retainer arrangements, to accommodate different preferences and budgets.
At the end of a coaching session, either with me, or another coach, I’d encourage you to ask yourself if you have learned something new about yourself and gained clarity on your situation. While I would never claim that coaching can lead to immediate epiphanies, I do believe you should feel like you’re gaining a bit more clarity on your situation with each progressive session. You should feel like you’re connecting the dots and gaining a new awareness about yourself, to enable new actions and new results in your life.
Coaching is most effective when the coach-client relationship is strong. That means finding someone whom you personally find credible, resourceful, and empathetic with your situation. Someone who “gets” you, yet someone who can offer fresh perspective on things. You can get a sense of this during an initial consultation.
When you do identify a potential coach, request an introductory “connection” consultation (typically free) where you briefly discuss your current situation and where you want to go. Then, have a candid conversation about whether you feel the coach’s expertise & services align well with what you need. It typically takes 20-30 mins, and you’ll get a decent read on the coach’s style and approach.
If you feel my approach, fees, and background may align with what you’re seeking, feel free to request a consultation.