What is Coaching?
Coaching is a new profession.

Coaches:

• Assist people to identify specific goals and then reach those goals faster and with ease.
• Provide client with the tools, perspective and structure to accomplish more through a process of accountability.
• Reframe beliefs and create a point of focus for clients to reflect upon.

How is coaching different from consulting, therapy, sports coaching and having a supportive friend?
Coaching is similar to consulting. However, consulting provides temporary or intermittent solutions. Coaching is a consistent, on going relationship where the coach stays with the client to help implement new skills, changes and goals. Another distinction is that consulting often involves dispensing advice, telling people what they should do. Coaching is different in that it focuses on assisting an entity to discover a solution on its own.

Coaching is not therapy. Where therapy brings understanding and awareness of the past to a client; coaching provides the support and strategy to make changes based on the awareness a client holds. Coaching is movement oriented and action based.

Coaching includes several principles from sports coaching like teamwork, meeting and exceeding potential in order to be one's best. Unlike sports coaching, the results are not win or lose based. Coaches focus on strengthening their clients' skills from the first session forward. Any amount of coaching will benefit a client from this perspective.

A supportive friend is wonderful to have in life, yet does not hold the objectivity and distance that a coach does. A coach is a professional who is trusted to work with you on the most important aspects of your life and/or business. A coach offers a different perspective of the truth because of the emotional distance the professional relationship offers.

Who hires a coach?
Corporations, for coaching related to:

• Organizations/teams
• Leaderships and executives
• Small businesses and entrepreneurs

Individuals, for coaching related to:

• Relationships
• Career and transitions
• Lifestyle
• Fitness

Why would a corporation and individual hire a coach?
Coaches are hired by corporations and people because:

• They want more.
• They want to grow and be more productive.
• They want to discover innovative ways of do things more effortlessly.

Coaches assist any client in attaining all three, quickly.

Does the coach work on personal goals or business/professional goals?
Both! The 'common denominator' between a client and work; a client and play; a client and relationships; a client and productivity IS THE CLIENT. Coaching inevitably works with all aspects of personal, business and professional goals relating to who the client is specifically.

What is the focus of Coaching?
Coaches focus where their clients need them to the most. Part of their discussions often include:

• Where are you now in relation to where you want to be?
• What are your goals? Are they based in your values?
• In order to get what you want from any situation, what are the areas of strength and what are the areas for improvement and focus?

By creating the focus of coaching around what a client wants to achieve; coaches assist their clients to maintain focus on that which will make them most successful.

Why does coaching work?
Coaching works for several reasons:

• Synergy between the coach and client creates momentum.
• Better defined goals support a client to move toward those goals faster and effortlessly.
• The clients develop new skills, and these skills translate into more success and a balanced life.

Why is coaching becoming so popular?
Coaching is becoming popular for several reasons:

1. many people are tired of doing what they think they "should" do and are ready do what they "want" to do, understanding that they have the choice.
2. People are realizing how simple it can be to accomplish something that several years ago might have felt out of reach. More people are creating the time and resources to invest in themselves in this kind of growth as they see the long term benefits.
3. Spirituality. Our society is looking for deeper meaning in our lives and work. Companies are looking to innovative ways of growing themselves from the inside out; starting with themselves and their employees.

Can I hire a coach just for a short-term project?
Yes. Some clients hire a coach to help them accomplish specific goals or projects. Usually, however, the client keeps working with the coach after that because of the synergy created and the support the relationship provides in setting and meeting goals.

How long must I commit if I start working with a coach?
Most coaches ask for a minimum 3 month commitment. There is always the option to discontinue coaching immediately if the partnership is not working for the client. Some coaches ask for a written agreement or contract. For corporate clients, a signed agreement is simply good business.

What does it cost to hire a coach?
The cost for coaching varies depending on the type of coaching a client is looking for, the duration of coaching, whether it is personal or corporate coaching and the nature of the project (if there is one).