ONE ON ONE COACHING

There are some definite guidelines on what is and is not coaching.

Coaching is about many things. However, principally it is about change. It is about developing emotional intelligence and conscious awareness. In business, coaching is a leadership behaviour that lies at the opposite end of the spectrum to command and control, and in effect addresses the whole person, not just ‘the role’ and business issues.

Coaching has many benefits, far too many to mention within this space. Each participant in the coaching alliance creates and holds the agenda, making every alliance uniquely designed to serve only the success of the participant.

In summary, coaching is about the marriage of a persons’ potential with performance. The context is to allow people to learn rather than teach them.

Coaching is not appropriate for the following: -

-People with dependencies such as drugs and alcohol

-Therapy for people who have suffered abuse

-A shoulder to cry on

-People who are abusing others

-People who are experiencing mental illness

-Counselling

Therapists in some of the above fields deal with events that have happened in the past. Coaching is specifically about the present and the future.

Whilst reference to past events is normal practice within a coaching relationship to apply background and context, a Coach, unless declaring otherwise, is NOT qualified to deal with any past emotional trauma or turmoil that is preventing the participant from moving forward.

How to get the most out of your Coach:

Be open and honest with yourself and your Coach. We all have careers that demand our time and can readily absorb our conscious thinking. However, this coaching time is yours, working purely on you and what it is that YOU want to achieve. If you are struggling to prioritize your needs above those of the business or other people, then we

already have a lot of work to do in getting you from doing to thinking, efficient to effective.

Make time and space for your coaching – if you are feeling stressed or disorganized for the meeting you will get less from it. Your Coach will help you set targets for each session and may set you additional challenges. You will get the most out of this process if you make the time to study and follow through on what you agreed to do between sessions.

Immediately tell your Coach if they could be more effective in some way and/or if you have a problem with the coaching process.

Consider allowing fifteen minutes after the coaching session to write down and record anything that occurred to you, and plan the time to follow through on commitments made to yourself.

Keeping notes during the sessions will assist in recording your conscious thoughts and improve your awareness of any shifts in your thinking during the sessions.

We strongly recommend that you invest in a journal to keep notes from the sessions. There will be things that you want to come back to at some point, and it will serve as a reference point for any learning and growth you experience.

Habitually writing your thoughts is an excellent way to focus your mind, exercise your will, and gain clarity on who you want to become and what you want to achieve. Your coach will discuss this with you during the coaching sessions.

Ethics & Standards

The following outlines the code of conduct applicable to all Coaches.

Your Coach will conduct themselves with dignity, honesty, integrity and responsibility.

Participants are assured that anything they discuss with their Coach will remain confidential, unless required by law, or the participant gives permission in writing.

Coaches will not be judgmental or give unwelcome advice.

Coaches will be clear about the boundary between coaching and other therapies, such as counselling (see previous information).

Coaches will not recommend a specific therapist unless qualified to do so.

Coaches will not give misleading information about coaching and its benefits.

All coaching agreements are easy to understand, with expectations of both the coach and the participant clearly stated.

Coaches will not coach minors (under 18) without parent’s written permission.

Coaches will be willing to recommend other coaches if it is more appropriate for the client

Coaches have professional indemnity insurance in force.

Whenever possible, coaches are encouraged to raise the profile of coaching and correct any misconceptions about what coaching is and isn’t.

Coaches will treat all clients in a way that is respectful of people’s differences in relation to disability, gender, age, race, religion and sexual orientation.