‘Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them’ John Whitemore
What does this actually mean? can coaching help you? Have you ever been in a classroom situation and someone (a trainer) has talked at you for hours? What did you do? Probably listen carefully for about 20 minutes and then switch off and think about what’s for dinner, where you were going that evening or anything else that came to mind.
We are likely to remember what we are told initially but our recall diminishes over time. This is not helpful for our long-term development of skills and knowledge.
The alternative is to be coached, where the coach helps you to reflect on what has happened and identify a way forward. The coach might provide some information but then you would reflect on how you use that information and how it might inform your choices in that moment or in the future.
An example of that is when I speak to people about self and social awareness (emotional intelligence), which is critical in developing communication and interpersonal skills, especially with work colleagues. I provide information about what it is and the practical implementation of being aware, but then the coachee reflects on their skills and how they might improve and what they need to do. I am helping them to learn, helping them to maximise their performance by developing their skills in critical areas and ultimately unlocking the potential that is within them without telling them what to do.
A coach is a critical ear, who is working solely on your behalf, we ask the difficult questions, but whatever you say is confidential (except where someone may be in danger or the activity is illegal) with the aim of helping and supporting you to achieve your ultimate goal.
What is your goal?
Do you want to get promoted and keep getting knocked back, do you want to show your boss just how good you are, do you want a new job to get out of a toxic work environment, do you want your team to smash their targets or do you want to get the confidence to stand up to that workplace bully or do you want to progress from what you are doing into a more enjoyable job that you love?
We all have our career goals but do you know how you are going to get there, do you have time and space and someone who will listen to your ideas and enjoy helping you to find answers and solutions? If not, you might want to consider a coach.
However, coaching will not help you if:
- You’re not open to learning and growing your skills and knowledge.
- You don’t feel you can talk to your coach, find one you can talk to!
- You’re nearest and dearest are not supportive of you using a coach and they put barriers in the way.
- You don’t have a clear idea of the reason for seeing a coach, take more time to think about your goals.
- You think one session of coaching will solve all your problems, it might give you some direction, but generally people need more than one session depending on the complexity of their goal.
- You think a coach is going to tell you what to do and how to do it.
If coaching might be for you, then these are a few quotes from my previous clients:
‘Coaching has helped me believe in myself again’.
‘Learning about myself has helped me deal with situations and people better’.
‘Coaching has helped me to focus on tasks and think through problems’.
‘Coaching has helped me to concentrate on the aspects of the job that I can influence and stop stressing about the things I can’t change’
‘Coaching has helped me gain the confidence to apply for the promotion and I got it!’
A few things to do to be sure.
Check out the reviews (Google, LinkedIn) of the coach and see if they have helped anyone in a similar situation to you. Are they qualified and are they affiliated with a coaching organisation that has quality standards and ethics? Speak to the coach on the phone, having prepared your questions beforehand. Think about their answers and how well you got on with them and are they someone you think you could talk to? Check out their offers, do they do a short 20-30min session that you could try first without a big investment of time and money? Weigh up how much achieving your goal means to you and if it is worth the investment of a coach, only you can decide this.
Find out more here; Individual Coaching – JM Professional and Career Coaching Services (jmcoachingwestmids.com)
Most of all, the best of success in achieving your goals with or without a coach.
