WHAT IS coaching and its differences from other practices
Imagine a man on a bicycle, stranded in the middle of the road, wanting to pedal but unable to. COACH: An individual approaches and inquires about the cyclist's intended destination. They delve into the significance of that goal for the cyclist and what draws him towards it. Together, they contemplate whether the bicycle is truly the most suitable mode of transportation for his journey, or if something else might better serve his needs. Here, we meet the Coach COUNSELOR: Along comes an individual who patiently listens, empathizes with his struggle, and encourages him to speak about his feelings. Counselor. PSYCHOTHERAPIST: Next there's someone who digs deeper, uncovering hidden barriers, emotional blocks, and past traumas that might be preventing the man from pedaling. This is the Psychotherapist. CONSULTANT: A fourth person inspects the bike, ensuring it's in good condition and offering practical advice to get the cyclist moving again. That's the Consultant MENTOR: Then you have the Mentor, someone with vast experience, who shares his wisdom and even demonstrates how to master the bike. TRAINER: Last an athletic figure observes the cyclist's techniques, pointing out mistakes and suggesting improvements. This is the Trainer In various situations, you might have a different needs , but I find coaching profoundly powerful. It encourages individuals to gain a deeper consciousness of their circumstances, spurring actions that propel them forward. After all, in the end, each of us holds our own answers and possesses the innate ability to navigate our unique paths. Who are we to dictate another's path? Thanks to Giovanna Giuffredi for having shared this metaphor in the book L’Onda del Coaching. Others Coaching definitions: ICF - the largest International Coaching Federation, defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
HOW IS a COACHING journey structured?
The coaching program is structured to be flexible, lasting from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 12 sessions. This number is defined following a non-binding and free preliminary meeting, during which you can share your goals and the skills you intend to strengthen or acquire. Starting from this evaluation, the coach estimates the number of sessions needed to build an efficient and productive path, oriented towards the results you want to achieve. • The average of the sessions settles between 6 and 8. • Each session lasts 1 hour. • The meetings take place 15-20 days apart. • The meetings take place through video calls For each meeting, we will agree on the time and modality of the meeting in advance. If necessary, a session can be canceled or postponed, provided that at least 24 hours notice is given. By respecting the ICF Code of Ethics (section one, article 9), you have the right to interrupt the coaching process at any time. In this case, dialogue will be encouraged to understand the reasons for the interruption. The coach can interrupt the contract only for serious reasons or professional conditions outlined in the Code of Ethics, making sure that this decision does not lead to your prejudice
HOW DOES A COACHING SESSION?
In the context of a coaching session, the relationship between me (coach) and you (client) is an equal partnership. The coach is the guardian of the methodology, the client is the expert of his personal situation and of the ideal solutions for himself. The client has all the resources necessary to overcome any obstacle that prevents the achievement of its objectives. He himself determines the desired result and is entirely responsible for it. "Mind traps" or "limiting beliefs" can temporarily hinder the client, narrowing his vision and preventing the use of his resources (ideas, skills, support network, etc.). The coaching methodology helps to manage and overcome these traps. In a coaching session, the interaction occurs through a distinctive dialogue. The coach can start with a question like "What do you want to focus this session on?" or "What is the challenge you want to address in this coaching session?". During the dialogue, the client speaks freely, while the coach's role is to ask questions, avoiding giving indications or suggestions. The coach's questions aim to stimulate creativity, expand perspective, generate new awareness, change mindsets, and rediscover the energy and motivation to overcome obstacles. In a human context, there are no universally effective solutions. What works for one may not work for another. To tackle complex problems, you need to creatively construct your own solutions. Coaching supports the client in this process of creative construction.
some of the goals ADDRESSED DURING THE COACHING SESSIONS
This compilation represents a variety of objectives that clients often explore in their coaching sessions. It serves as a reference to spark ideas about the goals you might wish to pursue in your own coaching journey. Remember, each individual's path is distinct, so while this list offers inspiration, your personal goals will reflect your unique circumstances and aspirations. Personal Development - I need to identify and better articulate my personal and professional goals. - I would like to advance my journey towards self-awareness and personal growth. - I am striving for a better balance between my work and personal life. - I aim to overcome my fear of public speaking and present confidently. - I am working towards developing a positive and resilient mindset. - I wish to handle criticism and feedback in a more constructive manner. - I am looking to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome in my career. - I seek to understand and manage my emotions more effectively. Career Advancement - I aim to enhance my leadership skills to lead my team more effectively. - I am considering a change in my career path and need clarity on the next steps. - I need to set realistic and achievable career goals. - I am focusing on building and refining my personal brand. - I aspire to make better decisions, especially under pressure. - I wish to improve my skills in conflict resolution within my team. - I aim to boost my creative thinking and innovation at work. - I am planning for long-term career advancement and success. Professional Skills - I want to improve my overall performance and effectiveness at work. - I am working on enhancing my time management and productivity skills. - I seek to refine my communication skills for better professional interactions. - I am learning to delegate effectively and manage my team more efficiently. - I need to assert myself and communicate my needs more effectively in the workplace. - I am focusing on increasing my job satisfaction and fulfillment. Business Development - I am aiming to structure my business for increased profitability and efficiency. - I need to address specific business problems that are hindering growth. - I am developing strategies to achieve large business goals. - I require constructive feedback on projects or business situations. - I am redesigning my business priorities and time management strategies. - I am planning for financial independence through my business endeavors. Work-Life Balance - I want to design a living and working environment that supports and inspires me. - I am managing work-related stress for a healthier life. - I am finding ways to allocate time for my personal interests. - I am transitioning into new phases of life and need to adjust accordingly. - I am redesigning my daily life and priorities for a more fulfilling experience. Relationship Building - I am strengthening my professional network for greater career opportunities. - I aim to navigate office politics effectively and tactfully. - I am building more meaningful and beneficial professional relationships. Motivation and Accountability - I am seeking a creative partnership to support my ongoing projects. - I need to maintain focus and avoid distractions that hamper my progress. - I value diverse perspectives and seek to incorporate them into my decision-making. - I desire a structured coaching approach to stay motivated and on track. - I require straightforward and honest feedback on my situation or ideas. Specific Learning or Improvement - I aim to learn new skills or tasks to enhance my professional capabilities. - I wish to improve specific aspects of my personal or professional life for better outcomes.
mine and yours responsabilities
How does the synergy between me (coach) and you (client) contribute to the success of the coaching journey? What exactly does the collaboration between coach and client mean? What are their respective commitments? This article provides all the answers about the roles and responsibilities of both the coach and the client. The relationship between a coach and a client is a collaboration. Collaboration is a keyword. A coaching journey is successful when the collaboration works. But what exactly does the collaboration between a coach and a client mean? Collaboration implies that both the coach and the client contribute in different but complementary ways to the success of the journey, each taking on their respective responsibilities. The client's commitment should not be perceived as an "oppressive obligation", but as guidelines to monitor and reflect upon, should the client find difficulty in following them. The coach's responsibilities, the more they are strictly applied, the more effectively the coach facilitates the process. The Coach's responsibilities: - Foster, through their listening skills and neutrality, a trusting environment where the client can freely express themselves; - Stimulate in the client a greater awareness of their goals, potential, and values; - Communicate with the client in a direct and simple way, never failing in respect and delicacy; provide feedback based on what is observed in the coaching process; - Assist the client in aligning their goals into a concrete and operational plan; - Ensure that solutions and strategies to be followed emerge from the client themselves; - Allow full autonomy and responsibility to the client; - Support the client by encouraging their ability to undertake the decided actions; - Where necessary, signal the existence of problems or needs that coaching cannot solve, suggesting the client consult more suitable professionals for such needs (e.g., psychotherapists, counselors, trainers, consultants, etc.). The Client's responsibilities: - Dedicate themselves to achieving their own coaching goal, recognizing it is entirely entrusted to their responsibility; - Identify and define the steps that will lead them towards the goal and their effective execution; - Make decisions that respect the balance of their life and their own values and the rights or expectations of others, knowing they are the only one responsible for their decisions; - Decide when to end the coaching journey, even if otherwise agreed.
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