Who is coaching for?
Coaching is for anyone who wants to be somewhere different to where they currently are, either in their career or in life. So, coaching is then fundamentally about change — no one gets a coach to stay the same. Whether the topic is personal, to do with empowering yourself to achieve your goals for example; or work related, involving matters such as team conflict, coaching can help you find a path forward. In addition to face-to-face coaching, I also offer Zoom and Skype coaching. Book a free consultation to really explore your goals in detail and to see if coaching is right for your needs.
What is coaching and how is it different to mentoring, counselling and therapy?
Mentoring usually involves the mentor giving advice from a place of having more experience in a particular area. Counselling and therapy generally seek to support the person to deal with something from their past that is affecting their emotional and psychological state in the present (e.g. bereavement). Counselling and therapy are then typically more backward looking.
Coaching on the other hand is more forward looking and tends to deal with high-functioning people. The goal of coaching, at least the kind I provide, is to support you to find the answer to your question from within yourself. The coach is not there to “tell” you what to do, but rather to help you to figure out what’s right for you. I view coaching then as a partnership built on mutual trust and honesty that allows the coach to offer challenge, while at the same time being supportive.
What is the difference between executive and life coaching?
The terms executive coaching and life coaching could be (and are) used interchangeably. Some coaches may use these labels to imply a certain emphasis in their approach, perhaps a preference for working with clients bringing more career related issues, rather than issues in their personal lives.
I believe that work and life are inseparably linked. This is particularly true in our technology driven, urban lives now more than ever. To separate work and life then, would be to do a disservice to my clients. Whether the topic is career related or of a more personal nature, my aim is to support you to find a path forward.
How do I find the right coach for me?
It is very important that you find a coach that you feel you can trust and work with wholeheartedly. This is why I first meet all potential clients for a quick coffee to understand their goals in detail and to see if we can work well together. Honesty, openness and a willingness to ask the tough questions of yourself are key to creating a successful coaching relationship. You can find more information about how to choose a coach here.
What is the session structure?
I typically offer 6 to 8 sessions of 2 hours each to be had over a period of 6 to 12 months. This is a long enough period to build trust and tackle topics at a deep level. I do not believe in open ended coaching or coaching that span many years, as this risks creating dependency. My goal is to empower you, and if I cannot support you to find a way forward in 6 to 8 sessions, then I am not the right coach for you.
How much does it cost?
I charge everyone based on their personal circumstances, taking into consideration such factors as if you are self-paying or being sponsored by an organisation. My goal is to make coaching available to everyone and I will be able to discuss pricing in more detail during the free consultation, once I have clearer idea of what your specific coaching goals are.
Do you offer Zoom/Skype coaching?
Absolutely. Not all my clients are based in the United Kingdom and I offer Zoom and Skype coaching. I may use a mixture of video and audio-only Skype coaching for different sessions over the course of a coaching programme. I find that telephone coaching (i.e. audio only) is particularly effective. It really allows me to listen deeply and tune into the client, without the distraction of a sometimes delayed video feed. My aim would be to work together with you to decide what form of Skype coaching, audio or video, works best for your needs.