What is your coaching approach:
I use a variety of coaching models to build confidence, resilience and ‘Quiet Leadership’. My coaching approach is person-centred, kind, non-judgmental, supportive, championing while challenging, and anchored in unconditional positive regard for each client (ref: Carl Rogers).

I facilitate learning and growth in my clients through coaching in its purest form. I coach the individual in front of me, holding up a ‘mirror’ so that they can safely examine their strengths, values and what blocks their progress. In collaborative partnership my client and I explore their mindset, uncover their best solutions, practise new thought patterns and behaviours, and create accountability with follow up to embed the learning so that real progress is achieved.

Compassion, kindness, protecting the vulnerable, human dignity and championing the uniqueness of others are non-negotiable core values for me.

 

I am ready to hire a coach.  What should I look for?

All coaches, just like all humans, have a unique mix of strengths and experiences.  If you are shopping around for a coach you need to find someone you can connect with and trust.  All coaches provide a 20-30 minute no-obligation initial call, a ‘chemistry session’ where coaching is explained and the client outlines what they want to achieve.  It’s important to have this initial chat so that both client and coach can decide if the chemistry is right to start working together.  It has to be a good fit for both for it to be of benefit.
 

If you are indeed shopping around, make sure:

• that your coach is appropriately qualified for the coaching you need.

• that they are a member of a professional coaching body if they are in the area of Executive Coaching. The three main professional bodies are the Association for Coaching (AC), the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Membership of one of these bodies is an indication that they have done the minimum standard of training, that they keep themselves updated and most importantly that they are following the Global Code of Ethics that all three associations agree on.  This ensures quality and is usually a minimum requirement in corporate settings. It also is a good indicator that they receive regular supervision whether that’s with a qualified supervisor, peer-to-peer supervision or group supervision. Supervision improves and maintains the quality of coaching.

• that they carry the appropriate professional indemnity and public liability.

• Testimonials and your own gut instinct are good signposts for you to follow also.

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Should I look specifically for a coach who has experience in my field of work?

Some people think they should work with coaches who have experience in the same sector, but there are many benefits of working with a coach from another field. One is that the client gets a fresh perspective.  Another is that the process of describing sector-specific issues to an ‘alien’ can be very enlightening, which is exactly what coaching is!  Some clients like that their coach is several steps of separation away from their immediate work network.
 

Who do you accept as clients?

I am a compassionate, non-judgemental, gentle and kind person so I only work with people who share these values.  My focus is on developing gentle quiet leadership skills in professionals, managers and business owners who:

• want to do better in their leadership,

• are willing and ready to stretch themselves towards having a bigger and better impact on the world and those around them,

• strive to do their best,

• try to avoid hurting or harming others,

• are compassionate and honest.

Is there anyone you don’t work with?

Please know that I am very selective in who I work with so that we can hit the ground running and get real momentum going towards their goals. If you have been ‘sent’ unwillingly by your manager for coaching, want to be ‘fixed’, expect to be a passive recipient of success, or are closed in your mindset to the opportunities that coaching offers, you are not going to benefit from coaching.   I only take on clients who have come to coaching willingly, who are open to the process, willing to engage and follow through, and who know that their results will depend on them taking their own actions, albeit with me championing and nudging/pushing for progress.  I also only work with people who share the same values as me (as explained above). If this is not you, I (gently and with no judgement whatsoever) suggest that you re-evaluate whether you need coaching or another intervention.  This can save us both some time!

Sometimes people present with issues that would be best brought to another professional such as a different kind of coach or a healthcare provider.  In this case I discuss options fully with the potential client.  I  ensure that they are referred appropriately and that follow up has occurred.  I would always rather that they have spoken to me than no-one at all.
 

What is expected of me as your coaching client?

Coaching clients need to commit to their personal and professional development, and commit to powering through even when faced with obstacles (especially when faced with obstacles!).  Clients need to set aside protected, private and uninterrupted time for each session.  If you are having phone/online coaching, you should ensure that the line is clear and that you are in a quiet place, uninterrupted and with your phone off or on silent.  To get the best value from the investment of your time and money in coaching, you should make every effort to complete exercises and practise new skills between sessions.
 

How quickly can I expect results?

Clients always report feeling lighter, more motivated and inspired with better clarity at the end of a coaching session.  However, for change to be long-lasting you should have a minimum of four sessions, about a month apart.  Most executive coaching engagements are 8 sessions initially.  Sometimes clients come back for a refresh session if they find themselves slipping back into old habits or have encountered a new challenge.  The speed and extent of results will depend on your commitment to your growth, although your coach will ensure you don’t rest on your laurels and that you either uphold your promises to yourself or re-evaluate them if they are not what you actually wanted, deep down.
 

Will I recover the investment I put into coaching?

This of course depends on what benchmark you have set yourself and the value you put on achieving your goals.  Research shows that in corporate environments the return is about 7 to 8 times the initial investment in coaching.  This is measured in a range of benefits such as reduced staff turnover and increased productivity and efficiency among others.

Next steps:
Why not set up a free call with me? We can chat and solve the world's problems in 20 minutes if nothing else! If we're a good fit we can arrange to work together either now or in the future when the time is right for you. If coaching is not the right intervention for you now, I'll guide you. I'd rather you talk to me than no-one at all.

 

Use the Contact Form below to schedule time in Lisa's diary for a 30 minute Discovery Call.