Coaching is a method of directing, instructing and training a person or group of people, with the aim to achieve some goal or develop specific skills. There are many ways to coach, types of coaching and methods to coaching. Sessions are typically one-on-one either in-person or over the telephone. Direction may include motivational speaking. Training may include seminars, workshops, and supervised practice. (as stated in Wikipedia)

1. What is Coaching?

Coaching is a professional partnership between a qualified coach and an individual or team that supports the achievement of extraordinary results based on goals set by the individual or team. Through the process of coaching, individuals focus on the skills, thought patterns, behaviors and actions needed to successfully produce their personally relevant results.

Through the coaching process the clarity that is needed to support the most effective actions is achieved. Coaching accelerates the individual’s or team’s progress by providing greater focus and awareness of possibilities leading to more effective choices. Coaching concentrates on where individuals are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be in the future.  Coach Cat recognizes that results are a matter of the individual’s or team’s intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach’s efforts and application of coaching skills, approaches and methods.

2. What are the benefits of coaching?

Individuals who engage in a coaching relationship can expect to experience fresh perspectives on personal challenges and opportunities, enhanced thinking and decision-making skills, enhance interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life roles. Consistent with a commitment to enhancing their personal effectiveness, they can also expect to see appreciable results in the areas of productivity, personal satisfaction with life and work and the achievement of personally relevent goals.

3. How can you determine if coaching is right for you or if you are ready to be coached?

Are you ready to take responsibility and control of  your life? Are you ready to see it through no matter how hard it may be?  Start summarizing what you would expect to accomplish in coaching When you have a fairly clear idea of the desired outcome, a coaching partnership can be a very useful tool for developing the strategy for how to achieve that outcome with greater ease.

Coaching is a partnership so ask yourself if it is valuable to you and the outcome to collaborate, to have another viewpoint and to be asked to consider new perspectives. Also ask yourself if you are ready to devote the time and energy to making REAL measurable changes in your work and in your life. If the answer is yes, then coaching will benefit you and help you grow and develop and ultimately reach your desired goals.

4. What are some of the reasons people hire a coach?

There are many reasons that someone or an organization would hire and work with a coach. Here are some reasons but not all:

There is something at stake (a challenge, a change, goal or opportunity) and it is urgent, compelling or exciting or all of the above

There is a gap in knowledge, skills, confidence, or resources

A huge change is being asked or required, and it is time sensitive

There is a desire to accelerate results

There is a need for a course correction in work, or life due to a setback

An individual has a style of relating that is ineffective or is not supporting the achievement of one’s personally relevent goals

There is a lack of clarity or indecisiveness and there are choices to be made

The person is extremely successful and the success has become problematic

Work and life are out of balance, and this is creating unwanted consequences

One has not identified his or her core strengths and how best to leverage them

The individual desires work and life to be simpler, less complicated

There is a need and desire to better organize, de-clutter or create a more harmonious work/home space

There is need more better time management skills and discipline

Communication is problematic with more than just one area in your life

Rapid changes in the external business environment. Downsizing, restructuring, mergers and other organizational changes have radically altered what has been termed the “the traditional employment contract”- companies can no longer achieve results using traditional management approaches. There is a growing shortage of talented employees in certain industries to attract and retain top talent, companies must commit to investing ind individuals’s development. There is a widening disparity between what managers were trained to do and what their jobs now require them to do in order to meet increasing demands for competitive results. There is unrest on the part of many employees and leaders in many companies-people are wrestling with fears around job security and increased workplace pressures to perform at higher levels than ever before.

For a free strategy session and consultation, more information or to get you moving toward a bigger and better life call Coach Cat at 561-705-2236 or email me at  cat@lifetips.tv