Definitions of Coaching

 

The following excerpt, taken from Chapter One of Coaching for Commitment, Ed. 3:

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C4C will help you to understand more about what coaching is from the coach's perspective. Simply put, 

 

Coaching is all about the Person Being Coached (PBC)!

 

More to the point,

 

Successful coaching is a conversation of self-discovery that follows a logical process and leads to superior performance, commitment to sustained growth, and positive relationships.

 

These results can only be achieved through self-discovery on the part of the person being coached (PBC), which means they must be a willing participant in the coaching process. Another outcome of successful coaching is the strengthening or improvement of positive relationships. We believe Coaching can and should happen most with top performers (more often than under-performers). Coaching is all about maximizing potential. 

 

 

What Does a Coach Do?

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Primarily, the coach's job is to be a trusted (unbiased) sounding board for the PBC. Coaches listen, provide support, ask pivotal questions and elicit the PBC's own ideas and experience in order to to enhance skills, knowledge and creativity; all based on a PBC-driven agenda. Coaches are trained to observe, reflect and sometimes even challenge PBC's to move from the current reality toward their self-identified ideal state.

 

Coaching is an individualized process and therefore coaches customize their approach to meet each individual client's needs. Coaches always seek to elicit solutions and strategies from the client, first and foremost. 

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How do I Know if Coaching is Right for Me?

 

In order to be coached, one must be coachable. Being coachable is an InsideOut process which means that the PBC is open to the exploration of self as well as the perceptions of others. It means that the PBC is ready and willing to move forward toward his/her vision or goal by taking action. It can also mean thinking and seeing and doing things differently than they have been done before. Coaching allows the PBC to reach his/her ideal state (or shared ideal state) by identifying the current reality and overcoming obstacles to progress. It requires action, perseverance, a positive attitude and often the adoption of new behaviors on the part of the PBC.  

 

To determine whether coaching is right for you, or your family (members), ask yourself the following questions. The more questions you answer with YES the more ready you are for coaching:
 

• Am I in a position or role that requires me to be on top of my game?

• Am I trying to accomplish something in a new or better way?

• Am I tired of the status quo?

• Are there things in my life, work or family that I want to see change for the better

• Am I able to explore my needs and wants openly?

• Am I able to honestly identify my strengths as well as my flaws?

• Am I able to articulate my thoughts and examine my actions objectively if it means reaching my goals?

• Am I open to changing behaviors if it means positive outcomes? 

• Do I want to grow personally or professionally?

• Do I want to be the best _______ (fill in the blank) ______ I can be?

• Do I want to be seen as someone who has great ideas and also listens to others?

• Do I want to be a better strategic partner?

• Do I want/need to be a better coach to others?

• Do I want to know how others perceive me so that I can close any gaps?

• Do I want to prevent burnout so that I can continue to be successful?

• Do I believe that I have the power to manifest my ideal state?

• Am I open to using a coach and trying this process if it means getting what I want?
   

What About Group Coaching?

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Because of its effectiveness, we use the coach-approach for many things from strategic planning, team building and even facilitation. We often coach people in groups such as teams, boards of directors and families. We use the same model and skills and employ an approach that allows all voices to be heard. Typically in leadership team and family situations we will employ group coaching as part of a larger engagement that also includes individual coaching sessions. We also use coaching as a part of ongoing executive development, often in conjunction with a 360° feedback tool such as Extraordinary Leader. Visit our WORKSHOPS PAGE for more information. 

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Why Coaching is Not Therapy

 

On the surface, the two vocations may seem similar and even though some coaches are also trained therapists, the disciplines are not mutually exclusive. Though both still sometimes deal with underlying feelings and emotions, coaching assumes the PBC is a whole and sentient being, without limitations; who is in charge of his or her own destiny. The verb "coaching" means the coach and PBC are constantly moving forward toward a goal or ideal. Though sometimes this may mean identifying counterproductive patterns of behavior, in coaching, we are not delving into the psyche or past to determine the future. Rather we are proactive in determining a course of action for the future. 

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Ethics

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Credentialed coaches follow a strict code of ethics that include clear confidentiality guidelines. We will discuss this with you as a part of your intake and engagement agreement. All IOD coaches are trained and credentialed coaches.

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Logistics

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Because we have coached people all over the world, we conduct most of our Coaching and coaching conversations with clients virtually via telephone or by video chat using Zoom or Facetime and other platforms. IOD coaches are skilled at many of these methods. You can select the one that is right for you.