A. Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. A professional coaching relationship exists when coaching includes a business agreement or contract that defines the responsibilities of each party. (Source: International Coach Federation Code of Ethics, 2009)
Q. What is individual coaching?
A. You meet with Lisa, by phone or in person, on a regular basis to discuss what is working, what needs changing, where a new perspective might be useful, what your resources are, and what your action challenges will be. You will also celebrate successes!
Q. What is group coaching?
A. Your group meets on a regular schedule, in person or by phone, to discuss specific topics within a particular theme. Each session includes an assignment to help participants build momentum toward their goals. Teleconferencing makes this a convenient opportunity for people with similar interests.
Q. What is the coach's role?
A. The coach employs astute listening, challenging questions, and encouragement to draw out the client's innate creativity and resourcefulness with respect to her aspirations. The coach provides observations that help the client increase her awareness, challenge her blind spots, and expand her possibility thinking. During this process, the coach champions the client's opportunities and potential. Finally, the coach keeps professional boundaries, maintains confidentiality, and adheres to the coaching profession's code of ethics.
Q. What is the client's role?
A. The client utilizes the coaching process to think with fresh perspective, plan forward-moving actions, and take steps toward her personal goals. The client creates to coaching agenda. Coaching is effective when the client envisions personal success and assumes full responsibility for decisions and actions.
Q. How is coaching delivered?
A. Coaching typically begins with a sample session (face-to-face or by phone) to assess the client’s current opportunities and challenges.When a coach and a client decide to work together they define the scope of the relationship, identify priorities for action, establish specific desired outcomes, and set a schedule for regular sessions. Subsequent sessions are usually 30 to 50 minutes long. The client chooses the focus of each session according to his personally prioritized goals. The coach contributes observations and questions. The coach might offer concepts and tools which can facilitate possibility-thinking. The client might be asked to complete specific actions between sessions.
A. A consultant is generally hired to diagnose problems, prescribe solutions, and produce certain outcomes. A coach works under the assumption that a client is capable of generating her own best solutions. A coach supplies the client with supportive, discovery-based frameworks.
Q. How is coaching different than therapy?
A.A therapist helps a client work toward healing, issue resolution, and/or behavior modification. A coach works with a client who is ready to pursue specific actionable outcomes. The emphasis in a coaching relationship is on action, accountability, and follow-through.
Q. Will a creativity coach be my agent?
A. No. A creativity coach will not secure outlets or try to make sales on behalf of a client. A coach will support a client's brainstorming of marketing goals, opportunities, and actions that she will take.
Q. Will a creativity coach critique my work or teach me how to paint, write, sculpt, etc.?
A. No. Coaching is not training. A coach will work with a client to identify where he wants to go next with his work and what steps he wants to take. Coaching helps individuals answer important personal questions that will inspire thoughtful actions and meaningful results.
Q. How long does a coach work with a client?
A. The length of a coaching partnership varies by the client’s needs and preferences. Three to six months is typical. People may find it beneficial to work with a coach for a longer period or to return to coaching when new situations arise. The momentum that builds during coaching can be powerful. Factors that might impact the length of time include: the types of goals, the way the client likes to work, the frequency of coaching meetings, and financial resources available to support coaching.