Get a Life (Coach)!
Posted on January 12, 2012 by Bernadette Gambino, One of Thousands of Performance Coaches on Noomii.
What coaching is -- and isn't -- and how to choose a good coach.
While coaching has become more recognized and respected as a profession, many people still don’t know what it is. Articles stressing the value of coaching have been published in such magazines as Newsweek and Forbes, an article in the latter stating that job performance increased by 49% with the introduction of coaching into the corporate culture. Whether categorized as life, business, relationship, or any of the many other specializations, coaches function primarily as accountability partners. In other words, they don’t make decisions for their clients; ideally they help clients to develop and articulate their goals and then to determine action steps for which the client is held accountable. They won’t do the work for you, but they’ll be there with you throughout the process.
What coaching is:
• A co-creative process through which coach and client work together to determine where the client wants to be or what goals the client has in any area of life, business or personal.
• An ongoing series of sessions tailored for each client’s specific needs, the frequency and duration of which are determined on an individual basis.
• A system of accountability; clients are more likely to work to achieve goals which are clearly stated and when they have to report their progress.
• A great way to reach your goals and/or manage periods of transition.
What coaching isn’t:
• A substitute for counseling or therapy. A good coach will focus on the present and the future, not on the past.
• A magic wand for all the problems in your life. It only works if you do.
• A way for you to “fix” others. While a competent coach can help you change your perspective and the way in which you deal with people and situations, no coach can change others for you.
It may not come as a surprise that many coaches employ coaches themselves. We understand the value of having a sounding board and a partner to help us with accountability. I have had clients in the past who were unsure of what coaching could do for them when they started working with me; I have never had a client who didn’t gain from the experience in a measurable way.
Keep in mind that coaching can be done by phone or in person; it’s a matter of personal preference. Often clients prefer to work by phone to keep a sense of anonymity when discussing sensitive matters and to accommodate busy schedules. When you choose a life coach, personal or business, take time to do your homework. Unfortunately coaching is not a well-regulated profession, although that is changing as the industry gains wider recognition. Currently, anyone can call himself or herself a life coach. Look for a coach who has training and experience and is certified by a recognized organization (such as ICF or an ICF-approved institution), and ask for a free consultation session to find out if the coach is a good fit for you. The right coach is ready and waiting to help you accomplish your goals.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary introductory session, feel free to contact me at (904)235-8202 or bern927@yahoo.com.
Bernadette Gambino, MA, CTACC
