Coaching FAQ

What is career coaching?

Career coaching is a collaborative and personalized process. We work together to help you explore and identify where you are, clarify where you want to go, and put together a plan to help you reach your professional goals. A coach provides you with an accountability partner, a cheerleader, an objective view plus dedicated support and guidance.  It can be for individuals in transition, for those needing help with the job search or for people dissatisfied with their current role. For one hour a week you get someone dedicated to making you and your life better.

How does coaching differ from consulting, therapy, sports coaching, or best friend?

Consulting. Coaching can be considered a form of consulting. However, consulting is often information and expertise based. For example, you might hire a consultant to help your business with a specific problem. In which case, you’d expect your consultant to have knowledge and experience in that particular area. Coaches, on the other hand, may or may not have a background or experience in your field. A coach is an expert on helping you develop all areas of your business and personal life. Unlike many consultants who propose a solution and leave you to implement it, the coach stays with you to help you integrate the changes, new skills, and goals to make sure they really happen. This is one reason why coaching is so effective–it is one thing to have the information and quite another to actually make the change!

Therapy. Coaching is not therapy. Coaches don’t work on past-based issues or traumas. Coaches are not psychologists or psychotherapists. If you start coaching, and have not resolved a past issue, then it is very likely I would recommend that you work with a therapist to resolve the issue. It is very common for unresolved traumas to stop us from getting what we want in our lives. Coaches focus on the present and the client’s goals for the future. We help people move forward and set personal and professional goals that will give them the life they really want. Most coaching clients are healthy, successful people who might be a bit stuck or simply want to make a big change in their lives and want the support of a coach to do so.

Sports. Coaching often includes principles from sports coaching, such as being your best, doing more than you think you can, working with a team, going for the goal. But unlike sports coaching, most professional coaching is not a competition. Your coach will help you win in your own life!

Best friend. A best friend or two or three is wonderful to have. But is your best friend an objective professional who you can trust to advise you on the most important aspects of your life or business? Sometimes our friends can’t tell us the truth as much as they would like to because they don’t want to risk losing the friendship. A good coach is never afraid to tell you the truth and is willing to be fired at any time. Why not have a best friend and a coach?

Who hires a coach and why?

The International Coach Federation puts it nicely:

“People hire a coach because

• They want more.
• They want to grow.
• They want it easier.

It’s as simple as that. Coaches help a client get all three. Quickly.”

How does coaching work?

Coaching tends to be short term and goal focused. We work together in a variety of formats such as face to face, telephone coaching, and via e-mail. We schedule calls in advance; these sessions keep the momentum going and provide the structure to keep the process moving forward and on track. I’ll provide guidance when you need it and help you get focused and unstuck when you hit roadblocks.

Do coaches work on personal goals or business/professional goals?

Usually both. The coach professionally trained to work with all aspects of your life. This is handy because very often, if something is bothering you at work, it is affecting your personal life as well and vice versa. Some clients prefer to spend more time focusing on their business goals, while others may want to focus on personal goals. How you use your coaching call is up to you!

What are the benefits of coaching?

Coaches have the ability to view things from afar — in what some call ‘helicopter vision’ — and to shed new light on difficult situations. Often they can act as a sounding board through tough decisions, help sharpen skills, and motivate.  — CFO Magazine

What are other benefits of coaching?

• Provides a fresh, unique perspective and encouragement
• Helps you think out of the box and choose a career that you will succeed at and one that is a good fit for your skills, values, passions, and work life preferences.
• Helps keep the momentum going; stay on course with your action plan
• Provides clarity and focus on aspirations, ambitions, and goals
• Activates your dreams with an action plan
• Pinpoints and navigates through roadblocks
• Gives you the shot of encouragement when you need it and celebrates your successes
• Finds a new job/career more quickly, saving you money

Why does coaching work?

Coaching works for several reasons:

• Synergy between the coach and client creates momentum and enthusiasm.
• Better goals are set — ones that naturally motivate the client.
• The client develops new skills, which lead to greater success.
• Coaching provides a structure of support. Left to our own devices, we start out with the best intentions and then, we hit a snag and it can derail us completely or cause a long delay. A coach can help you quickly break through blocks so that more is accomplished with less struggle and less effort.
• Objectivity. Your coach is an objective, positive supporter. Not everyone is lucky enough to have such a friend or colleague to provide this. If you’ve been doing it solo, try seeing how much more you can accomplish with a life coach!

How Long Does Coaching Last?

Depending on what kind of assistance and direction is needed it can take anywhere from one to six months.

I don’t live near Charlotte, NC.  How can we work together?

I have worked with many clients across the U.S. and we work effectively via the telephone, fax, and e-mail. One of the benefits of coaching is that it eliminates geographical boundaries, offering convenience and flexibility.  We can schedule the meetings during the day or evening to accommodate different time zones.

How much does it cost?

Each individual comes to coaching with a unique set of issues and areas on which they would like focus. Contact me for a complimentary consultation.  We’ll review your needs and determine a program that works for you. More information in included here.

What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, check, PayPal.

When is payment due?
Payment is due at the time of purchase.

Do I need to sign a contract?
We do require a terms and conditions statement to be signed. This ensures that everyone knows how things work and there is no confusion.