Rebecca_Wray_Business_Coaching

Employers and business leaders need
people who can think for themselves –
who can take the initiative and be the
solution to problems.

Stephen Covey

Employers and business leaders need
people who can think for themselves –
who can take the initiative and be the
solution to problems.

Stephen Covey

Coaching

What is Coaching?

Coaching can be life changing – both professionally and personally. Some key principles enable a coach to offer the client a service that drives outcomes;
  • Psychological safety, the coachee should trust in the coach that they will be guided safely through a solution focused conversation.
  • Honesty and equity, the coach and coachee will build an equitable, open relationship allowing for truly honest conversation that breaks through barriers.
  • Challenge, the coach should practise a skill of reading the coachee to ensure they are being challenged whilst remaining secure.
  • Confidentiality, a key difference between an internal and external coach is the absolute confidentiality and objective view we hold.

Coaching can be an invaluable experience, empowering the coachee to take action that will make positive changes in their lives.
The coachee must however be committed to the process, only getting out what is put in.

Why should I hire a coach?
If you are someone who is looking to change career, improve personal effectiveness, achieve a better work life balance or resolve a conflict with a colleague, a coach could certainly look to help. If you are a manager of people with performance issues, you want to fast track someone’s development or you simply want to show a member of your team some value, a coach could help you.

The key to coaching is intention. If the coachee has no intention to fulfil their role as a coachee – attend all coaching sessions, be honest and carry out any actions they have come up with, the coaching won’t work. Any good coach will explain this to you at the outset, and agree a time period by which they will feedback to you if the coaching relationship isn’t working. Confidentiality is fundamental. To allow the coachee to trust in the coach, it’s imperative they know what will and won’t be shared with any other parties.

Who should I hire?
The coaching relationship is an intense one. The relationship should be cohesive, and they should find building rapport reasonably easy. If the coach or coachee feels the relationship is not working this should be fed back within agreed time frames. A coach doesn’t necessarily need to have the same background as the coachee. E.g. A teacher doesn’t need a coach that has carried out that role.

My experience of coaching includes working with senior managers and board members in the corporate environment, with teachers and senior leaders in schools, and with small business owners. All my coaching has been focused around an individual improving something in their lives; if this is you I may be able to help you.

What happens in a coaching session?
Typically, the coachee will set a long-term goal, and then identify ‘journey goals’ to work towards that long-term goal. After each session, the coachee will have some actions to carry forward. The coach has no responsibility for action; the coachee must be committed to carry out what they have set out. Meetings are typically 4 weeks apart and last between 45 minutes to one hour. Anything discussed during a coaching session remains confidential. Only agreed outcomes will be shared with the manager or sponsor as agreed at the outset.

Next Steps Coaching:
In addition to our ‘regular’ coaching sessions we offer a breath of fresh air – literally! We simply head outside for an organised ramble (suited to the client’s fitness level) whilst having the coaching conversation. We passionately believe, to be the best we can be, we need to care for both the mental and the physical aspects of ourselves. Our next steps coaching sessions involve using the natural surroundings to inspire, enthuse and sooth – compare this effect to a familiar meeting room with possible distractions and less inspiring surrounding. Clients tell us they’ve found coaching outdoors a positive, enlightening experience whilst increasing our physical activity – win win!

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