The Three Ts of Coaching (no, it’s NOT Tina-Tina-Tina…)

I’ve spent the last few months overhauling my website. It was a healthy exercise, despite bouts of screaming, fist pounding, and hiding under my desk.?

A website is a marketing tool. To make it effective, you have to understand what you’re selling.?

I sell coaching. But what the #$%^& IS coaching??

Coaching is a personalized, one-on-one experience in which you partner with a trained coach who uses inquiry, observation, and reflection to help you unlock your creativity, rediscover your purpose, and unleash your potential. Coaching is a program, a process, and a mindset.?

In its simplest form, coaching is the act of helping others perform better.

What kind of coaching you choose - how you invest in yourself - depends on how you define “perform better.”?

Introducing the three Ts of coaching - and, as always, actionable ways to apply what you’re learning.

Targeted coaching.

You have a performance goal. A desired behavior change. A workplace expectation. Targeted coaching goes deep into your specific identified opportunity while keeping you connected with longer-term growth aspirations. It complements other skill-building efforts (on-the-job, self-study), personalizing the learning and increasing accountability for behavior shifts.?

Action steps:

• Consider past performance reviews, feedback, and 360s. What specific skills are cited as gaps or growth opportunities?
• Consider your professional ambitions. What behaviors can you hone to propel your path?
• Consider your personal ambitions. What competencies can you develop to evolve into your boldest and bravest self?

Transitional coaching.

You’re in between jobs. Elevating to a new level. Moving into leadership. This coaching helps you get from “what now” to “what next.”?

Imagine a boat heading across a lake. When we’re in transition, we lose sight of our home port and can’t yet see the intended shore. It’s easy to feel uncertain. What got us to our departure port – mindsets, behaviors, activities – aren’t enough for success at our destination.

Transitional coaching helps you clearly identify your aspirational vision, clearing roadblocks and easing you through the “letting go” process. This coaching uplevels you, enabling capabilities for your awaiting adventure.

Action steps:

• If you’re positioning yourself for promotion, identify skills gaps you can close to set yourself up for success.
• If you’re embracing a larger role (maybe leading people for the first time), consider what you might need to let go to create room for new learning, opportunities, and expectations.?
• If you’re changing fields, or transitioning from corporate to contract work, define your strengths and use them to chart a new course, perfecting stories about transferable skills and experiences.

Transformational coaching.

It’s time for a reset. You’re ready to face your shadow, to begin deep personal exploration and introspection. You’re at a crossroads - maybe midlife, maybe a pivotal life change. This is the ultimate investment in self-awareness and self-acceptance.?

You are targeting certain behaviors while facing certain transitions to unleash the full “you.” Transformational coaching is all of the above and more.?

Action steps:

Consider these soul-level questions. If you’re struggling to answer, invest in support.

• How did I get to this point?
• What do I want?
• What is my purpose?
• How can I start living my unlived life?
• How can I celebrate the whole me?

Wrapping up.?

Coaching is not reserved for those with C in their title, or for those managing big teams with global reach. You are the executive of your life. No matter what industry you’re in, no matter what function or level, you are a leader. If you turn around and see others following you - not because they have to, but because you inspire them - you are a leader. And you deserve to invest in yourself.?

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WorkJoy is all about supporting leaders at all levels on their quest for professional bliss, for fulfillment achieved by using their unique talents in alignment with their greater purpose. Coaching is one of our tools. Check out our newly enhanced website today - and contact us to learn more!