What is Coaching anyway?

Perhaps it might be easier to talk about what it is not and then explain what it is.

It is not:
Telling people what to do
Giving advice
Dishing out ideas
Sharing experiences
Having a nice chat
Telling clients everything will be OK
Therapy
Training
Mentoring
Consulting

So now that we know what it is not you can now measure what your coach is doing, if they are doing any of the above without clearly telling you that is what they are doing then they are not coaching!

Coaching is facilitating the client using questions, rapport building and a variety of models to help the client find the solutions from within. The client sets the agenda, the measure of success, the goal for the session, the solutions and then they go ahead and complete the actions. The coach helps them to do this by ensuring the relationship is solid for some upfront and honest answers, the coach will reflect what the client has said - almost verbatim so that the client can hear what they have just said. The coach will challenge and celebrate ideas with the client based on the clients response. This is a talented and skilled profession and the best thing is that people are really getting it.

So what does it cost for a coach these days? Bottom end $50 for this you can have a nice chat. Top end coaches are can command some pretty amazing commissions $1200 plus for a one off session. The norm in NZ? $300-600 per session. A session can go from 10 minutes to 2 hours generally speaking. Many professional Coaches will create packages designed for you. Most will hold a 30 minute free consultation and included in that will be a sample session for you.

What will a good coach get you? Answers to your questions, measures on your goals, goal attainment, motivation and intention, clearer ideas and visions, transformation from a boring bastard to a party animal or non performer to go getter! What do you want? If you want it then we will help you get it but first we might need to get you out of the way:-)