What’s the skinny on your coaching?
Here’s the scoop: I require a commitment of a minimum of six months. Change takes a little time. You will see results immediately and we want to allow time for things to settle in. We will check in after the six months to see where you are and what is next. My clients are women leaders of 20 or fewer people and who are about risk-taking and creativity for the purpose of organizational success, no matter the industry. Our first formal meeting is 90 minutes to establish a baseline of who you are and where you want to go and build the foundation of the coaching relationship. From there, we will meet each on a regular basis either by phone, in person or Skype. Email support and quick calls in between meetings are available as you need.
What does the coaching process entail?
There are four main components to the processes:
- Complimentary Exploratory Conversation: The first step for someone curious about coaching is to contact one or more coaches to "interview" them. As many coaches do, I offer a complimentary exploratory conversation during which you find out what I do as a coach, and I learn what you're looking for and hope to get out of coaching. By the end of the conversation, you'll be able to say either, "let's go for it," "this isn't going to work for me," or "I'm still interviewing other coaches and will let you know a definite answer by x date."
- Foundation Session: Once we decide to work together, I'll send you some information over email and then we'll schedule your Foundation Session. In this 90 minute session, we work though laying the foundation for who you are (personally and professionally), what you want, how you work best, and what’s getting in your way. We also take time to design how we will work together, how you need me to be as a coach, and what I need from you as a client. We negotiate what will work for both of us, with the goal being to keep our relationship as supportive and authentic as we can.
- Regular Sessions: This is where we'll spend the great majority of our time together. After your Foundation Session, we'll:
- Meet regularly for a minimum of six months and for the first couple sessions, we will work on:
- Solidifying your values, what each one means to you, and
- An assessment of your life in relation to those values.
- Being Clear on who you are and what you are about (the core purpose of you)
- Once that foundation is set, the tables turn and for the remainder of our time together, you bring the topic that you want to work on for each session, and our goal for each session is that you'll leave with a deeper understanding of the topic and a distinct and meaty way to take action and/or continue to deepen your understanding between then and our next session. After our initial six months is completed, we will convert to a month-by-month basis.
- Concluding the Relationship: Eventually, the time will come when you feel as if you've gotten what you need from our work together. When that time is approaching, I request that you give me one month’s notice. That way, we can spend time understanding how far you've come and strategizing your next steps once our time has ended.
How long does coaching take to "work"?
There’s actually no one answer to the question, "how long should coaching take?" It’s as unique as the individuals that come to be coached! What I’ve found over several years and many clients is that, at the heart of it, it depends on how “ripe” you are for the process. If you’re not ready to dig in, take action, and do things differently (with the strong support of your coach), coaching will not work for you, no matter how long you have a coach.
One thing I do know, is change takes time. Things need to settle in and become grounded. Very often, the deepest and most lasting change happens when we work together over at least eight - 12 months, so I ask my clients to commit to at least six months of working together, followed by a month-to-month approach after that.
What really makes coaching work?
In my opinion, two things: first, a good connection between coach and client has to be present. They’ve got to "click" in order to be able to work together well. Second (and this is the real clincher), you, as a client, must be committed to doing the work of coaching between sessions. Every time you leave a coaching session, you’ll have homework...aka, commitments you make that will have you moving closer to what you’re wanting to create in yourself and in your life. If that work doesn’t happen between sessions, then the coaching doesn’t work. Period. And even the most skilled coach on the planet can’t do the work for you. More often than not the big shifts happen when you’re out in your life between sessions taking action and making changes. Without that, you’ll likely end your coaching journey close to where you started.
What should I look for in a coach?
When researching certified coaches, it is advisable (in this coach’s opinion) to find a coach who has been certified by an ICF-accredited training program, if not by the ICF itself. The ICF is the largest governing body of coaches around the world, and its members must uphold the highest ethical standards as well as continually expand in their skill development and growth. Are there non-ICF-accredited programs that produce great coaches? Absolutely! However, as a benchmark, it’s a good thing to look for.
Aside from that, be sure you find a coach whose niche is in alignment with what you’re wanting to focus on, and, as mentioned above, be sure to work with the coach that you click with the most. You want to enjoy your coach as much as he or she wants to enjoy working with you, too!
What does it cost?
There are three ways you can engage with me:
- Six month Package:
- 2 hours of coaching per month broken up however it serves your schedule and needs best
- Unlimited emails and
- Unlimited quick 10 minute one off conversations for whatever you need.
- PLUS ONE FULL bonus month - that's six months of coaching at the price of five $2,000
- Month by month for as long as you need. In that month you would get:
- 2 hours of coaching broken up however it serves your schedule and needs best
- Unlimited emails and
- Unlimited quick 10 minute one offs for whatever you need. $400/month
- One time coaching - perhaps you just need some perspective or a little help on a matter: $200.
What’s the next step?
It’s easy! Schedule your complimentary 45-minute Exploratory Conversation to find out more about coaching, me, and whether RLJ coaching is right for you right now!