The Down Low on Coaching - What is it?

7:09 AM Unknown 0 Comments

When you hear or think of the word 'coach' or 'coaching', what comes to mind?  Do you think of all the coaches that you've had in your life who taught you how to dance, play hockey, play chess...  Perhaps you think of a teacher you've had during your life that made a big impact.  We all define coaching differently.  The word triggers many different thoughts and emotions based on our experiences around it.

My husband for example, is one of the best sport coaches of young people that I've ever been witness to.  I say this as a point of fact and not flattery.  He helps them develop to the best of their ability, supports their progress and setbacks, gives information that is personalized for the individual and uses humour and positivity to encourage and empower.  When those children think on what a coach is to them it's my hope they think of him and his positive impact on their life.

Somewhere along the line we've all been coached in some capacity.  So what then does Life Coaching look like and how does it differ from that of other types of coaching, like those mentioned above?

At the end of my training I will be Certified Life Coach who specializes in coaching clients with ADHD.  I am completing my training with the ADD Academy which is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited program.  In completing this course I will have tackled 239 hours of study and coaching practice.  It is indeed a comprehensive program that takes the care of others very seriously, as do I.  Here is an definition of what coaching means as laid out by the ICF:

ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today’s uncertain and complex environment. Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. http://coachfederation.org/need/landing.cfm?ItemNumber=978 

As a coach who also specializes in ADHD I help clients understand their unique brain wiring and how to work within that.  To discover strengths and values they weren't aware of.

Coaching is a relationship.  I am your safe space, the listening ear and the witness of your unique talents and strengths.  The difference between this type of coaching and the sports coach is, while I may share some nuggets here and there, YOU are the expert on you.  My role here is to help you clear the noise and confusion.  Traditional coaching has you as the student learning a skill.  The difference here is that YOU are the expert, what we do is bring an awareness around that so you can employ skills you weren't aware of.

So many times when we go looking for help, well meaning people (myself included), have instructed.  I am not the person who provides instruction; coaching in this capacity helps YOU to arrive at the answers you have questions around.  It's only when we can be AWARE and CLEAR that we can start making plans for ourselves.  I help you attain that clarity.  My purpose as your coach is to help:

- Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve

- Encourage client self-discovery

- Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies

- Hold the client responsible and accountable

This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.

This is not a self indulgent service.  So many times we struggle with different areas in our life: family, children, work, business...  We can't see the forest through the trees.  I help you step back to take it all in.