Coaching is a powerful relationship for people making important changes or making important decisions in their lives

Coaching is a powerful relationship for people making important changes or making important decisions in their lives.

Imagine a relationship where the total focus is on you, on what you want in your life, and what will help you achieve it. No other relationship except the coaching relationship is like that. It's unique.

Imagine someone listening, not only to your words, but also to what's behind them - who even listens to the spaces between the words.

Imagine someone who will hold you accountable and keep you moving toward your dreams and goals. Imagine a relationship with someone who is totally curious about your dreams and aspirations, what makes you tick, what you value, what you are most passionate about in your life - a person who will help you clarify your goals and provide the tools for action and learning that lead to the results you want.

Imagine a relationship in your life with a person who is sometimes even more committed to what you want in your life than you are.

Imagine a relationship with someone who will absolutely tell you the truth - the truth about where you are strong, for example, and where you sell yourself short - someone who who sees how big you can be and constantly holds that big image for you - even when you can't hold it for yourself.

Imagine someone who listens to you without judgment and allows you to show emotion - in fact, accepts you without analyzing you.

Imagine a relationship where you finally break free of those self limiting conversations you've been having over the years - where now the voices of defeat and self sabotage are simply noticed for what they are and the powerful part of you is always encouraged.

Imagine, you get to talk to this person every week, even when you've just made a mess of things or when you've had a great success.

Typical steps:

1. Explaining the relationship, agreeing on how to work together, laying out the logistics, contracting and getting permission to push back - tell the truth.

2. The discovery phase focuses on where the client is today and how he or she got the way they are. Conducting personal strengths assessments using The Big Five (5 factor) instrument, MBTI, Conflict Style, Communication Style instruments.

3. Designing the future phase is about getting very specific about what the client wants to be different in their life.

4. Throughout all phases of the relationship the coach provides the client with tools. Three-sixty feedback, personal style and other self awareness instruments are used to help uncover hidden potential and traps. Methods the coach will use to push back and get at personal Gremlins are explained and practiced.

5. Face to face, e-mail and telephone conversations are conducted on a regular basis.

6. Meetings, e-mails or telephone conversations or conducted on an as-needed basis - during particularly rough times.

7. Meetings with the client's stakeholders, if indicated.

Typical time and costs:

Coaching usually takes at least three months to have an effect since there is a natural rise and fall rhythm to behavior change. The client needs to practice new behaviors and get feedback on his or her attempts.

A longer term, less intensive coaching follow up relationship might last a year or more.

Sometimes new and improved behaviors have unintended consequences. People in the work group, for example, may be confused by the new behaviors and put pressure on the client to return to the dysfunctional, yet known, old behavior. Change is hard work and needs time to offset years of old habits and practices.

Plan on a minimum monthly retainer of between $1500 to $2000 per month for the first three months. A lesser fee is usually involved for follow up or ongoing work. The higher rate will involve more face-to-face work, heavy use of self discovery instruments and input from a second coach. Continuous coach access is provided by e-mail. Emergency calls are not charged. Discounts are available for multiple clients from a single organization.

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