Is Coaching for you?
Change can be difficult.
Coaching was described by Sir John Whitmore as “Unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their growth.” At the heart of every coaching engagement is a desired change within the client. The role of a coach is to partner with their client to make the desired change and to do it in a way that is positive and sustainable. Coaching isn’t the only way to do this, but it can be incredibly effective given certain conditions. Those conditions are:
Rapport and trust between you and your coach - if you pursue coaching, it is important that you trust them and see them as a true partner to your success. Absent this rapport, it will be difficult for you to be as open and honest as you need to be to confront what you find difficult.
Inspirational, clear and focused goals for the change you’d like to make - for change to be possible, you must be excited for the benefits of achieving that change and you must have a clear idea of how you will shift your behavior in order to achieve it. You also need to be honest about what is likely to get in your way and the strengths you possess that will enable your success.
Your commitment to change - if the change you desire isn’t important to you right now, it is unlikely that you will dedicate the sustained energy needed to achieve it.
Support from your environment - it is incredibly helpful to have support from those around you when trying to make a change. While some of this support can come from your coach, it is also helpful to have support from your manager, peers, friends and loved ones.
Let me know if you are interested in exploring how coaching can help you make the change you desire.