The Basics of Coaching
I talk a lot in these blogs about how coaching can be transformative and the tools it can provide in terms of guidance, awareness and resilience. However, if you’ve never had a coaching session before then you still may not have much of an idea of what it’s really all about. Why does anyone do coaching and what is the process involved? Read on if you’d like to have your questions about the basics of coaching answered.
Preparation is key - Just as in having the right ingredients for cooking
· The sessions. There is a certain degree of flexibility when it comes to how the coaching sessions take place. You might prefer to have a phone or Skype coaching session, or face-to-face (from my office in Winchester), depending on your schedule and what’s likely to be the most effective for you.
· The process. I begin most of my coaching sessions with a Pause. Pausing is a powerful tool in coaching and is likely to bring to mind what is most pressing to focus on. These sessions can be incredibly productive and it’s a good idea to come ready to fully engage from the very start.
· Before and after. Reflection is another key stage in coaching. I often recommend that you take a few moments to gather your thoughts before the coaching session and dedicate some time to reflection afterwards too. This can allow the metaphorical nutrients of the session to really sink in and for any further ideas or questions to come to the surface.
· The key question. “Why?” is the question that most coaching is designed to address. Finding your why can unlock energy, potential and a real sense of purpose. It’s this that the coaching sessions will be designed around so it can be useful to spend a little time contemplating it before you come to the first one.
Coaching people – who are they?
Essentially, we are all coaching people. Everyone can benefit from this kind of support at whatever stage of life. My practice has included coaching many different people, from CEOs and Directors to entrepreneurs, male and female and across all ages. The coaching relationship is carefully nurtured and is completely bespoke to you – it’s a very personal experience. We will focus on the areas that matter most in your life, the concerns you have and the goals that you’re looking to achieve. I have more than 20 years experience in the world of corporate and individual coaching and I understand how important this relationship is, as well as how to ensure that you get the most from it.
Why might you consider coaching?
Change is a constant for all of us and that means that transitions pop up frequently. These are often the moments when people turn to coaching, to help navigate a shift to a new path and cope with the emotions and adjustments that requires. I specialise in transition coaching, whether that is managing a return to work after a long period of absence or that feeling that it’s time to branch out and try something new. I have built up an effective toolkit to enable my clients to transition gracefully through periods of change, and to use the power of Pause to change the climate around us in a positive way.
If that sounds like an experience that you would find useful in your life right now then feel free to get in touch.