Frequently-Asked Questions
When should you use a coach?
- when you do not love what you are doing but are not sure what to do instead
- when you are stuck and do not know how to get unstuck
- when you are burned-out and not sure how to get out of your situation, much less how to get into a more rewarding one
- when you have lots of ideas about what you would like to do, but do not focus on any long enough to take it anywhere
- when you have read all the self-help books and still are not changing the habits that get in your way
- when you have young children and cannot figure out how to cut back and be with them more
- when you want to identify and focus on what you really care about
With thanks to Leslie Godwin for her input into this section.
Questions to ask when choosing a coach
- What experience do you have around what I want to accomplish? Have you achieved it? Have you coached others in a similar situation, and if so, what happened with them?
- If I were a client, how would you approach what I have explained so far about my situation? [many coaches, myself included, offer a free sample session].
- What general philosophy or approach do you use with your clients?
- How do we track progress?
- Why do you want to work with me?
Excerpted from Mass High Tech, Mar. 26 – April 1, 2001
What happens if I don’t like my coach; how do I end coaching?
- Think about your goals – is your coach helping you achieve them?
- There is often a slump in coaching, 3 to 8 weeks into the process – is this one?
- We humans often resist change, even when we know we want it. What might you be avoiding, or afraid of?
- Once you have taken some time to self-reflect, talk to your coach. Share your concerns, and what you do not like about the coaching. Suggest ways to re-design your alliance to better serve your needs.
- If all else fails, agree a termination date with your coach. Many coaches like to do a completion session, to review what has happened during your time together, and wrap up any loose ends. It may be that the most important outcome for you is saying what you need and being respected for it. A good coach will do that.