Embarking on a coaching programme can be a transformative journey, but it’s not without its questions and uncertainties. What does coaching entail? How can it fuel your personal and professional growth? How do you maximise the benefits across the entire program, not just the initial session? Whether you’re a newcomer to coaching or considering it as a tool for change, we hope this guide offers insights to help you gear up for your coaching programme.

Understanding Your Goals:

  • Why Coaching?: Reflect on why you’ve chosen coaching. Did your manager suggest it, or is this a personal decision?
  • Focus Area: Decide if you’re prioritising professional development or broader life coaching.
  • Your Expectations: Think about your desired outcomes and what you’d like from your coach.

Embrace the Challenges of Coaching:

  • Growth Through Discomfort: Understand that coaching may push you out of your comfort zone, but it’s for your benefit.
  • Daily Application: Insights from sessions are important, but real change happens when you apply them daily.
  • Feedback is Essential: Share your progress with peers, family, and friends, but be prepared for varied feedback. Remember, change can be confronting.

The Right Coach Makes All the Difference:

  • Connection and Vulnerability: After your first session, if you don’t feel a connection, reconsider your choice. Vulnerability is essential for progress.
  • Open Communication: If something isn’t working, be honest. A coach would rather adapt their approach than proceed ineffectively.

After Your Session:

  • Reflect and Journal: Highlight key takeaways and note areas you’d like to revisit.
  • Stay Proactive: Mark your calendar with actionable tasks and timelines for self-imposed goals.
  • Consistency: While sporadic sessions can be helpful, regularity promotes sustained growth.

The Coach’s Role:

  • A Guiding Force: Coaches aren’t there to give answers but to facilitate self-discovery through insightful questions.
  • Utilize Their Expertise: If you’re struggling, your coach is there for interim guidance, even between sessions.

Get Organised – Logistics:

  • Plan Ahead: Consistency is key, so set up a series of sessions over a few months.
  • Understand the Coaching Contract: Clearly understand the boundaries of the coaching contract, especially around confidentiality. If an organisation sponsors you, know what information might be shared. Your Coach is required to provide this.

Always Be Inquisitive:

  • Your Learning Journey: Push your coach, ask questions, and explore tools like psychometric tests to gain deeper insights into yourself.
  • Continuous Improvement: While one coaching journey might conclude, self-growth is an ongoing path.

In Conclusion, Coaching isn’t a single transformative event but an invaluable tool for lifelong learning and growth. It’s about your personal and professional evolution, and every session brings you a step closer to your best self. Dive in with an open heart and mind.

 

If you would like to explore Business Coaching further, set up a time with Colleen McLintock to chat more. colleen@omnicor.co.za

Image: unsplash.com – Patrick Perkins