About coaching

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Until the leadership coaching module of my MBA in 2020 I had no idea what coaching was, not really. At a guess, I thought it was related to teaching, training, a type of consulting or maybe therapy. 

What I have learnt, however, is that coaching is none of these, although it does apply different elements of mentorship, psychology and therapeutic practices as required to best support the client. As I coach I help you to stretch your horizons, create a compelling vision and map your way to get there. I describe coaching as a conversation with a skilled friend, who believes in them and can help them access the future they want. Coaching assumes the client is the one with the most knowledge and wisdom about themselves and their desires, in this way, it is client led. 

There are many definitions of coaching. Connor and Pokora (2007) defined coaching as “the individual taking charge of their own development, to realise their potential and achieve results they value”. The creator of the popular GROW (Growth, Reality, Opportunities, Will) framework to support the coaching conversation, Sir John Whitmore (1992), defined coaching as "unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance, to go beyond their perceived boundaries".    Above all, coaching is a relationship where purposeful conversations are had with a trusted and skilled friend who believes in you and provides a safe space for you; knowing that you are already resourceful, creative and whole (see: ICF competencies). 

The impact of this relationship can be life changing. If you are here reading this you may be wondering where you sit in relation to whether you need a coach or not. The information below may help you at this stage.

I'm curious if I need a coach 

If you are wondering if you would benefit from having a coach, then I encourage you to check in with the 'hands up' questions below. Some of these questions were asked on my coach training with Empower World. and relate to the work-place, some are more general and relatable to life.

Hand up if this is or has been you

You feel the people around you are not competent enough

The people around you are not getting things done fast enough

The people around you are always coming to you for advice

You need to improve in some area but you’re not sure what success really is for you 

You wish you could act differently in certain situations so not to feel regret afterwards 

You are already successful and want more fulfilment in your life and are curious as to what that may be.  

Credit @EmpowerWorld training

You know you are meant to be doing something purposeful and meaningful but you don’t know what that is yet 

You feel lost 

You doubt yourself 

You have a vision but no clear plan 

You don't always follow through on your commitments

If you are nodding a lot to these, AND you are ready to learn and grow, then you are ready for a coach. 

What does coaching involve? 

Coaching helps you connect with your emotional intelligence through deep reflective work, in a way that may be challenging and could stretch your current understanding. It can be hard work for you as you grow into the life you want, and that's as it should be, because you are growing. Often the most life enhancing changes we face are some of the hardest for us, not because we can't, but because we haven't been there before and we feel vulnerable and unsafe treading into the unknown. 

As your coach I spend time with you as your trusting, loving mirror; to skillfully hold you accountable to the standards you set yourself, through your journey towards your vision. Reminding you why you are doing and to support you reach your ambition at your own pace by  listening deeply to you, asking questions, nurturing, challenging and celebrating you as you go. 

There is nothing more rewarding as your coach than to see you achieve the transformation you are looking for.

Are you the coach for me? 

My intention for you is to use this website as your rapport guide, because coaching is built on the relationship between the coach and coachee. I would love to get to know you and for you to get to know me a bit more as you explore my journey and some of my own reflections. 

There is only so much a website can do however, so I have created a 1 hr FREE Rapport Session on Zoom via calendly that you can book anytime. Face to face is the only real way to get to know someone.

I'm ready to go! I'd love you to coach me.

If you would like to reach out, and explore your next steps with me, I couldn't be happier! Please take a look at the various ways to work with me and contact me on WhatsApp or email or via my social channels. 

Whatever stage you're at, I'm excited for you as you take what could be THE journey of a lifetime.

Kath xx