As people seek better lives for themselves, either personally or professionally, or both, they're more likely to find outside help to get them there: a professional coach.
With coaching all around, we wouldn't blame you for wondering, Is it time for me to get a coach? Here are some FAQs with answers before you jump into a coaching relationship:
1. Who are these people?
There are an estimated 20,000 coaches around the globe. You can check out some personal and business coaching websites at the Coach to Coach Network at www.Coach2Coach.info. Although coaching certificates are good things to look for, the most important credential a coach needs is your trust to help you get to that place of self-awareness.
2. What kind of coach is right for me?
Executive coaches, who in small companies, are brought in as (mostly) agenda-free surrogate mentors. That's become especially important in this mobile age when it's rare to find a lifelong veteran available to offer support and guidance. typically work with executives in large firms and business owners
Life coaches, on the other hand, are brought in to help people reorder their life to get to where they want to be. Making hard choices about what's important and paying attention to your intentions requires being listened to by a supportive, brainstorming and independent viewpoint.
3. Who needs a coach?
People seek out coaches for an infinite variety of reasons, but there are two typical coachees: people navigating some significant transition in their life or career and those who have some inkling that their leadership style or personality is holding them back.
FORTUNE magazine reported that one reader said, "I went into the coaching experience kicking and screaming, at the insistence of my then-boss. And what an eye-opener it turned out to be. I won't even go into the grim details of bad management habits I had unthinkingly developed in my 14-year career up to that point--but I will say that since I was 'cured' by 12 weeks of pretty intense coaching, I've been promoted three times."
4. What does coaching cost?
Executive coaching engagements typically cost upward of $10,000 per person over a set period of time and include a few face-to-face meetings followed by email and telephone discussions. To help develop executives internally, rather than look for outsiders, companies are often more happy to foot the bill to fix dysfunctional leaders. For the return on investment (ROI) of executive coaching, click here.
Some enterprising fast-trackers can and do shell out for their own advancement. As the price slides downward, though, the buyer should beware.
5. What should you expect?
Coaching is not a substitute for therapy and it's not business strategy. The clients do the heavy lifting. The coach guides the person being coached by asking the right questions. The client has to figure out what behavior needs to change and how best to change it.
So what is professional coaching and how does it differ from consulting?
Download and listen to this MP3 recording of a recent interview of Coach Agno for the answer to that question.
6. Does coaching work?
People seeking coaching are self-selecting, so the answer is yes. However, it is best to maintain a guarded edge during the coach selection process to make a good match between what you want out of the coaching experience and the person who can guide you throughout the coaching process.
Source: Are You Being Coached? FAST COMPANY, February 2005
yea i would like to have coach its really helpful.really awewsome topic and helpful
Posted by: Andrej | May 06, 2012 at 07:10 AM
This information is very good, it also motivates me to seek more guidance as it relates to becoming an effective leader
Posted by: George Moodie | May 14, 2011 at 05:13 PM