Executive and Life Coaching
Frequently Asked Questions about Coaching
What is coaching?
The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines professional
coaching as an ongoing professional relationship that helps
people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers,
businesses or organizations. Through the process of coaching,
clients deepen their learning, improve their performance,
and enhance their quality of life. Coaching is not consulting
and it is definitely not therapy. Unlike therapy, coaching
is all about where you want to go not where you’ve been.
And unlike consulting, the coaching client is the “expert”.
The coach’s job is to support the client in uncovering
their personal and professional best. [top]
What is the International Coach Federation (ICF)?
ICF is the world’s largest and most respected professional
society representing business and life coaches. ICF currently
has about 9000 coaches in 32 countries. ICF credentials individual
coaches and accredits coach-training institutions. ICF member
coaches subscribe to a professional code of ethics and are
subject to the Ethical Conduct Review process. Dan served
as the Executive Director of ICF from 2001-2005. [top]
Is there a difference between "Executive
Coaching" and "Life Coaching"?
Professional coaching is based upon the ICF Core Competencies.
As such, the fundamental principals and approach are the same
regardless of the niche one may be practicing within. Executive
or Business Coaching however, focuses on a person’s
professional or business life while life coaching covers a
broader spectrum. Life coaching may also deal in part with
the professional aspects of one’s life, especially around
the issue of balancing one’s professional and personal
lives. [top]
I am not an association executive or elected leader is your coaching still appropriate for me?
Absolutely. Dan coaches people from a wide range of personal
and professional backgrounds. As a Certified Association Executive
(CAE), he is particularly aware of the challenges facing association
executives and elected leaders. It’s a natural focus
for him, and an additional benefit for those association executives
that he coaches. [top]
Are your coaching sessions in person or on the phone, and how long is a typical session?
Although most coaching sessions are three 30-minute phone sessions
per month, the length and frequency of calls is flexible.
Some clients, for example, prefer two 45-minute phone sessions
per month while other clients in the Washington, D.C. area
prefer to meet in person once or twice a month. E-mail support
is available for contact between sessions. [top]
Do you use a specific coaching model?
Dan’s coaching focus is based on four inter-related
areas of personal and professional development as the figure
below depicts:
These four development areas are touched upon
during every coaching session. [top]
Do you coach groups as well as individuals?
Dan typically coaches individuals but group
coaching is also common especially in business coaching around
team performance and communication. [top]
What can I expect to achieve by coaching with you?
First and foremost, what you get out of coaching is directly
proportionate to what you put into it. Coaching requires commitment
and follow through. Coaching concentrates on where clients
are now and what they are willing to do to get where they
want to be in the future. Successful coaching provides clarity
and moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the
client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness
of choice.
Typically, a successful coaching relationship translates
into the following results:
• you’ll make more informed decisions because
you’re taking the time to assess the potential consequences
• your life will be more in balance because you’ll
be making conscious decisions on how to spend your time and
energy
• you will achieve measurable goals within an agreed
upon time frame or we will reevaluate our relationship. [top]
What's the next step?
Perhaps the best way to learn more about coaching is to try
a free sample coaching session. Click
here to sign up for your free session.
|
