For those people who have not had coaching, the actual process can seem shrouded in mystery.
What exactly happens in coaching? What is so special about it? Who is it for?
This article examines the key truths and myths about workplace coaching with the aim of encouraging everyone to consider how it might be beneficial for them.
TRUTHS
Truth #1
Workplace coaching usually takes place within a one-on-one conversation between a professional coach and their client (the coachee).
Through attentive listening and thought-provoking questions, the coach encourages the coachee to get to the heart of their challenges and goals. The coach supports the coachee to reflect on both the internal and external factors affecting successful achievement of their desired outcomes. The coach explores any assumptions or thinking patterns that may be holding the coachee back and works with the coachee to develop an action plan to move forward. The coach supports the coachee’s long term personal development by providing objective, evidenced feedback and encouraging the coachee to reflect on what they are learning about themselves through coaching.
Truth #2
Academic research shows that coaching can help a coachee sharpen their focus on performance outcomes, identify and implement appropriate behaviours, develop greater emotional intelligence, and improve their thinking skills and decision making.
These outcomes are facilitated by coaching because the coachee is provided with the time and psychologically safe space to really think about what they want to achieve, what is holding them back and how to move forward. A bit like a sports coach, what the coach does is help the coachee realise how much they can achieve and how to put new behaviours into practice.
Truth #3
Coaching is about moving forward towards a goal in a positive way.
A coach will not encourage their coachee to dwell on the past, except to capture useful learnings from previous experiences. If someone wants to work on coming to terms with events in their past, they are likely to find therapy more helpful than coaching.
Truth #4
Choosing the right coach is very important.
A good place to start is to check the coach is accredited by one of the main accreditation bodies – the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and the Association for Coaching (AC). Each coach has their own personal style and a “chemistry” meeting is essential to determine (on both sides) if a coach and coachee are likely to work well together. Feeling comfortable with a coach is really important, although sometimes personality opposites can spark surprising mindset shifts.
MYTHS
Myth #1
Coaching is only for senior executives.
This is not the case! People at all levels of seniority can benefit from coaching as everyone’s challenges are unique and important to them. Regardless of someone’s position, what is required to benefit from coaching is an open mind, a willingness to reflect deeply and the courage to experiment with new behaviours.
Myth #2
Coaching is for people with performance issues.
This is not true! The coaching guru Nancy Kline argues that the quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking that we do first. Everyone needs to take time to think but this can be challenging in a fast paced, high-pressure environment. Coaching provides the conditions that are conducive to high quality thinking leading to greater insight, self-awareness and better decisions.
Myth #3
The coach will tell their coachee what to do.
This is not the case – coaches very rarely give advice. The coach’s job is to stimulate the thinking of the coachee in a way that they might find difficult to do by themselves or with a friend, family member or colleague who may have vested interests. A coach is a thinking partner for the coachee who will learn best if they work things out for themselves.
Myth #4
Coaching is very expensive.
This is not necessarily the case. Coaches generally offer a range of fee options to suit different coachees’ circumstances and requirements. Like any service provider, coaches must be competitive in their sector and offer value for money. To put the cost of coaching in perspective, the coachee should think about the value to them and their organisation if they achieved their goals. This is likely to be much more than the cost of the coaching!
To find out more about coaching with Vanessa and read some of her client stories, please visit her website Vanessa Allen Coaching or send her an email at vanessa@vanessaallencoaching.co.uk Vanessa is always delighted to hear from CLL members at all levels of seniority.
