What is coaching?

Coaching is a professional partnership where a coach uses powerful question asking to help clients make effective choices that lead to positive changes in the areas they want to advance.  The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.  Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work, and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole."

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What are the benefits of coaching?

• To honor yourself by giving focused time and attention to the areas you want to advance in your life.

• To expand your thinking and acquire fresh perspectives that move you past stuck places.

• To gain clarity and self-awareness that motivates change.

• To brainstorm the possibilities and options that inform your decision-making opportunities.

• To overcome the obstacles that hinder your growth.

• To discover and maximize your strengths and capabilities.

• To identify and utilize the resources available to you.

• To increase self-confidence and feel empowered to move forward.

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What are the coach and client roles in the coaching relationship?

The COACH is responsible for managing the process of the conversation by reaching these benchmarks:​​​

• Establishing trust by providing a confidential and judgement-free space for conversation

• Offering full and focused attention to your specific situation, goals, and dreams
• Creating the opportunity to explore ideas and create new awareness
• Exercising active listening, powerful questioning, and direct communication
• Aiding in your process of establishing a clear and realistic plan of action
• Supporting, encouraging, and celebrating your progress!

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The CLIENT is responsible for bringing the discussion content, and being willing to define personal goals, develop strategies, create actions, and make those actions become a reality. Read Successful Coaching Relationships to get the most value for your time through coaching.

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What happens in a typical coaching session?

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CONTACT: Coach and client connect over the phone (coach initiates the call) or in-person at an agreed upon Anchorage-area location. Typically, clients schedule two sessions per month; some prefer weekly sessions. Since change occurs over time, a six-session coaching package with evaluation for next steps, allows for an effective coaching relationship to develop.

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SESSION LENGTH: Sessions are scheduled for up to an hour. This provides enough time to process your topic, explore options, make connections, and create an action. At times, a session can reach your desired outcome in less than an hour.

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CONTENT: After the initial "Get To Know You" session led by the coach, the client selects the topics to process. This can include lifestyle management, relationship enhancement, spiritual growth, career development, balancing daily living, decision making, and achieving short-term or long-term goals.  During the conversation, we might engage in brainstorming, clarifying values, processing life choices, establishing healthy boundaries, identifying action plans, and developing accountability. The topics are limitless and cater to your need as the client. I supply the questions.

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How does coaching differ from counseling?

Both coaching and counseling tackle complex issues and provide a safe space for individuals to engage in open and honest communication and foster self-discovery. The purpose and approach of these two fields are different, as the chart details. 

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Counseling focuses on the past and explores the root of the problem so the client can gain self-understanding and resume a normal level of daily functioning. Counselors are viewed as the experts who diagnose the problem and offer advice and direction.

 

Coaching focuses on the present with intentional movement toward the future by using questions to help the client discover solutions to their own problems. Coaches see the client as the expert of your own life, capable of developing and implementing effective actions, confidently overcoming barriers, and ultimately reaching a higher level of achievement in less time with greater personal and life satisfaction.

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