A Quick Guide to Coaching

Why is coaching so popular? Simply put, it gets results. According to the Institute of Coaching, 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. 86% of companies report that they recouped their investment on coaching and more.

What do leaders focus on in coaching sessions? In a 2015 Korn Ferry survey, coaches were asked to identify the leadership challenges being coached most often and the overwhelming answer was “self-awareness”. Tied in second place were “interpersonal skills, listening skills and empathy”.

Why is self-awareness so important to leaders? According to Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Matters More than IQ, "emotional self-awareness is a leadership competency that shows up in model after model. These are the leaders attuned to their inner signals, recognizing how their feelings affect them and their job performance." In other words, if you develop a deeper awareness and understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots, and biases you are better equipped to improve your performance and the performance of those around you.

How do you get the most out of coaching? Coaching is highly personalized, and it requires a significant investment of time and energy. Here are five things you can do to get the most out of your coaching engagement:

Be clear on your goals/area of focus – Think carefully about the challenges and opportunities you are facing and get specific about what you want to work on.
Reflect on issues between sessions – Consider keeping a journal or some other means of capturing your thoughts so you can reflect on your progress and identify issues you’d like to bring forward in future sessions.
Be open – The best coaching results happen when you’re willing to be vulnerable and transparent. Let go of the need to have all the answers.
Be prepared to be challenged - You will be asked powerful and thought-provoking questions, your thinking will be challenged and you will see other possibilities. This is where growth happens.
Expect change – To achieve your goals, there will be change in how you behave and what you believe. This won’t always be comfortable, but your coach is there to listen without judgment, ask meaningful questions, and keep the process moving forward.

If you would like to learn more about how coaching could work for you, reach out for a free 30-minute discovery call.