Coaching Guide/Q&A

A) Do you need coaching?

A simple way to assess if you need coaching is to answer the following two questions

• Are you struggling with something right now?
• Do you think you might struggle with something in the future?

B) What coaching can do for you?

Coaching can help you in six ways.

1. It helps you clearly identify a problem you’re having. Sometimes you can’t see “the forest through the trees.” Coaching enables you to look at your problem with clarity.
2. It challenges you to uncover different perspectives through which to look at the problem, in the process it helps you see things in a different light and be able to come up with new solutions to a problem.
3. It supports you as you plan and execute a series of actions to tackle the issue. Coaches act as independent sounding boards to bullet proof your options and improve decision-making.
4. It gives you feedback on your style of functioning and the impact it has on others.
5. It helps you to improve your soft skills. Good coaches can help you hone and develop emotional intelligence to become a more effective leader and manager.
6. It improves your self awareness. Eric Schmidt, Google’s former Chairman, says it best: “The one thing people are never really good at, is seeing themselves as others see them.” Coaching helps you better understand your strengths, limitations and how others might see you.

C) How does it work?

At its core, coaching revolves around having one on one coaching “sessions” between the coach and the client. You might meet with your coach 2, 3 or 4 times a month with a session lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes (for an intake or initial deep dive session).
During this session, the client will usually bring a topic that he or she would like to discuss. The coach will then use certain tools combined with a series of powerful, open ended questions to get you to explore the topic more deeply. The coach will help you to think through the possible solution to your problem.

D) Will I get a solution to my problem?

One of the biggest misconceptions with coaching is that many people assume a coach is simply going to come in and solve your problem for you by telling you what to do. This sounds more like consulting rather than coaching. While coaching usually targets an individual looking to become a better version of themselves, consulting provides businesses with expertise that they currently lack.

Coaches guide you to the right answer tailored to your business, rather than telling you what to do or using the same playbook every other company receives.

E) What are the areas on which one can get coaching?

Career coaching— Provides support for employees looking to make a career transition, whether short or long term, including guidance on their professional development and job search.

Life coaching— This specialty of coaching focuses on a variety of aspects of life, including career, health and fitness, finances, relationships, and spiritual growth.

Organizational or business coaching— Provides business owners and entrepreneurs with support in identifying goals, creating strategies to obtain those goals, and boosting the overall performance of the organization.

Performance coaching— Supports those within organizations who need to improve their work performance, often as a result of performance appraisal results, regardless of level or job title.

Leadership coaching— Provides coaching for those looking to grow and develop leadership skills, regardless of whether they are an individual contributor, manager, or senior manager.