Frequently Asked Questions
Coaching
What is the origin of coaching? (Not frequently asked but interesting.)
The term “coaching” originated in the world of transportation when servants conveyed a person of worth from place to place in a coach.
- Coaching first emerged in the 15th century.
- “Coach” originally referred to a type of carriage (wagon) from the small town of Kócs (pronounced ‘koach’).
- The symbolism was that of a coach taking people to where they want to be.
- By the 19th Century, English universities started referring to someone that assisted students to prepare for exams as a coach.
- In the same period, coaching also became more known as a profession in the context of a coach working with a sports team.
- From 1940 to 1979, company consultants (business psychologists focusing on organisational developmental issues) engaged in coaching.
- The field of coaching showed rapid growth from 1980 to 1994.
According to Tom Landry: “A coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.”
What can you expect from your coach?
Not to “fix” anything, but to assist you to:
- strengthen yourself
- provide the tools for action and learning
- clarify your goals
- focus on your specific outcomes
- stay on course
- move forward by developing a greater belief in your own capacity to handle life
- express your talents
- become accountable for the choices you make.
Important: The total focus will be on you. There will be support and encouragement.
What will your coach expect from you?
- That you’re ready, willing and able to change.
- To stay committed to the coaching process.
- To show up for sessions.
- To keep to agreements.
- To be open to the potential of coaching.
- To contribute to conversations openly and honestly.
What are important factors i.t.o. the effectiveness of coaching?
- The level of openness and trust between you and the coach.
- That you’re psychologically healthy and don’t require a clinical intervention.
- That you’re self-aware or can achieve self-awareness.
What is the duration of the coaching sessions?
- The 1-hour preliminary strategy coaching session.
- The coaching sessions generally last 1 hour.
- While some clients like to meet weekly, others prefer every 2 weeks, while others prefer monthly.
What is the duration of the coaching period?
- Depends on the goals to be achieved and how quickly they are achieved.
- Most clients commit to coaching for a minimum of 6 months.
Note: Coaching takes time and focus! Changing ourselves, changing our behaviour – it is difficult but not impossible. It requires consistent work for a long period of time.
- Some clients continue indefinitely.
- Sessions should continue for as long you benefit from them.
What are the benefits of coaching for an organization?
- Overall improvement of performance by staff members.
- Enabling staff members to become the very best that they can be.
Note: The goal is to make sure that (1) the vision, mission and culture of an organization and (2) the values and professional goals of an individual are aligned.
What are the benefits of coaching for an individual?
- Enhanced self-awareness
- Enriched quality of life
- Improved work-life balance
- Developed ability to set goals
- Increased accountability