What is Coaching

Coaching is a relatively new field of expertise, which was started by Thomas Leonard in the late 80’s and early 90’s. The idea behind coaching is that we all can benefit from a professionally trained mentor or coach who can listen objectively and serve as a partner in moving us forward toward whatever it is we want to accomplish and/or change in our lives. The coach provides the focus, structure, support, and encouragement to help their clients do, be and accomplish more than they even expect.


Contact Bev Berner
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bev@act2.info

This is probably one of the few times in your life when it’s expected that you talk about yourself with no fear of reprisal. Coaching is about you – who you want to be and what you want to accomplish. Don’t think of it as “selfish”; instead think of it as “self-full”. Selfish has a connotation that someone will suffer. On the other hand, hiring a coach (being self-full) will help you discover, use and enjoy the best attributes, skills, and talents and values of you.

How long does a client typically work with a coach?

  • According to the International Coach Federation survey, the duration of a coaching relationship average around 9 months.
  • Some clients have a very specific set of goals they want to accomplish. Others use a coach as a consistent forum for discussion, feedback, discovery and growth.
  • Often clients will come and go depending on what issues, challenges and opportunities occur.

What does it cost to hire a coach?

  • As you might imagine, it varies according to the assignment at hand.
  • I am flexible and charge by the hour, by the month or by a set price for a workshop.

What about confidentiality?

  • Confidentiality is assured in a coaching relationship. If you want to tell others you are working with a coach that is certainly your prerogative but I don’t.
  • Good coaches have a short and easy to read document on policies and procedures which lays out the confidentiality agreement among other items.

Isn’t coaching like therapy?

  • Therapy is primarily for the purpose of diagnosing and healing mental illness. The therapist deals with emotional/behavioral issues and seeks to bring the client to normal function. Coaching, on the other hand, is designed as a catalyst to support full functioning and capable individuals in making desired changes in their work and/or personal life.

Isn’t coaching like consulting?

  • Consulting is about solving specific problems and providing expertise, information, direction and advice. Coaches use well-crafted questions, as well as other techniques to help clients tap into their own experience, knowledge and wisdom for answers. Once the client has identified his/her own “answers”, coaches play a very active and ongoing role as the client takes action and implements change.

Isn’t a good friend just like a coach?

  • A friend can be loving and supportive as a sounding board and a cheerleader. Coaches are this also, and, they bring skills, perspective and objectivity to the relationship without emotional attachment to the client’s choices.

 

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