• Coaching is about being guided to get your own answers as opposed to “I’m broken – fix me!”
• Coaching focuses on long term change NOT a quick fix intervention.
• It’s NOT counselling as it’s focused on the future not the past.
• It’s NOT consulting as a coach doesn’t tell you what to do nor can s/he do the work for you.
• It's NOT like talking to your friends or an internal mentor because a coach doesn’t have any vested interests in what you do, s/he will tell you as it is.

Coaching is as a partnership between a client and a coach designed to help the client achieve extraordinary results by identifying and removing the barriers that may be in their way of achieving the success they’re capable of.

How does it work?

Each coaching relationship reflects client’s specific needs and preferences. In general, coaching is delivered over the phone as it allows for flexibility in terms of time and geography. Face to face sessions are available as well. The session lasts between 45-60 minutes. The frequency of the sessions depends on the coaching programme and the client situation. We found that the pattern that works for majority of clients is three weekly sessions followed by one week “off” to allow the client to apply the learning from the sessions.

At the beginning of a coaching relationship we’ll define the objectives, discuss the logistics and agree on an arrangement that best suits your needs.

Before each session you will be sent a prep form to help you focus and to ensure that you get the most from each call. In the form you'll capture your overall objective, your current achievements, and challenges you want to address during the session.

At the end of each session you will summarise what you’ve got from the session and you’ll decide on what actions you want to take before the next session so that you move closer to your goal.

What do you need to do to make this work? Coaching is a very simple and effective process. The clients who achieve extraordinary results have these things in common:

• Commitment
• Determination to change things for the better
• Willingness to be honest (to yourself and with your coach)
• Willingness to explore and try different approaches to doing things
• Perseverance to carry on when things get difficult (when your gremlin throws a tantrum and demands you stop trying to destroy him!)

Why use it?

One of the most inspiring things about coaching is the positive impact it has on people's lives. There is an amazing power in having a regular time to focus on yourself, having someone who will really listen to you and help you find the way forward and will keep you going when the going gets tough.

Some of the benefits you may experience when you use a coach:

• Knowing what you want for yourself
• Clarity around where you're going and how to get there
• Personal satisfaction that comes from removing the barriers and making progress
• Increased energy levels
• Positive attitude to life and people around you
• Ability to communicate clearly your needs and values to others
• Increased focus (on things that matter most)
• Ability to think things through objectively
• Less stress
• Replacing limiting beliefs with new, empowering beliefs
• Accountability and motivation to follow things through
• Getting an objective and challenging feedback
• Discussing things that are important to you in a safe, confidential environment