What is a coach?

Coaching is an experimental development process that facilitates change and growth in both individuals and groups. Through structured dialogue, coaches assist their coaches to deepen their insights and translate those insights into actions. Coaches apply specific techniques and skills, approaches and methodologies that enable the coaches to develop their goals and design to achieve them.

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What are the benefits of coaching?

• Generates learning and clarity

• Encourages candid and respectful conversations

• Fosters self-reflection

• Promotes creativity and performance improvement

• Creates measurable outcomes and accountability

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What should I expect from my coach?

In all interactions, the Coachee can expect that the Coach will:

1. Be fully present.

2. Help the Coachee stay focused on their stated goal(s) or refocus if their goals evolve.

3. Listen carefully and ask open-ended and thought-provoking questions for self-reflection and learning.

4. Give feedback and call attention to the Coachee’s actions or behaviors that do not match their words or their goals.

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What are my responsibilities as a coachee?

• Be able to identify why you are working with a Coach – your goal(s).

• Share with your Coach the primary areas you wish to focus on.

• Share with your Coach what you need from them and be comfortable that your Coach’s style is compatible.

• Share with your Coach if and when you may need advice (consulting) rather than thought-provoking questions
  (coaching).

• Commit to engaging in the coaching process, to being open to learning and taking action on your goals, and to
  stretching yourself.

• Initiate the call or meeting on time and be fully present and free of distractions.

• Set the agenda for each coaching session. Recognize that for some sessions, you may need to focus on something
  more immediate than your primary stated goal(s).

• Being candid and courageous with yourself and your Coach. Reflect on their observations and correct their
  insights when needed.

• Be prepared for session reflections.

• Hold yourself accountable. Follow through on your commitments. If you cannot or do not follow through,
  reflect on what may have interfered so you can adjust next time.

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What are your responsibilities as my coach?

• Is able to articulate what they have heard from you as your primary area(s) of focus.

• Is able to help you identify where to begin if you have more than one focus.

• Asks questions to learn about:

• Your preferred learning style and use of resources.

  • How comfortable you are with receiving feedback.

  • Communicates that their coaching style is compatible with your learning and feedback needs.

• Clarifies whenever they are consulting rather than coaching and asks your permission before giving advice.

• Commits to being fully present for each coaching session, staying focused on your agenda, giving honest feedback,
  and encouraging your insights with thought-provoking questions.

• Is fully present at the time of the scheduled session and is immediately welcoming and focused.

• Recognizes you determine the agenda, supports your intentions for the session and holds your primary goal(s)
  when you need to focus on something more immediate.

• Listens to your words, observes your behaviors, asks open-ended, thought-provoking questions, and tests out
  observations and insights for your self-reflection and learning.

• Provides a recap of what you have accomplished in your session for your reflection and feedback.

• Celebrates your between-session accomplishments.

• If you have trouble keeping your commitments, helps youexplore the reasons and make adjustments.

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