What is Coaching?

I am a leadership coach for UCLA Anderson School of Management 's fully employed and executive MBA programs. Students are having their first coaching chats with me, aligning expectations, clarifying logistics, and asking questions.?

Hence this week’s newsletter.

For leaders who have never worked with a coach, the idea of coaching is appealing - but a big unknown. If, like our friends from UCLA, you’re new to coaching, welcome! By the end of this issue you’ll be asking, “How can I find a coach?” If you’re no stranger to the coaching world, having partnered with coaches before, terrific! Keep reading - and share your experience, thoughts, and recommendations in the comments.?

So - what IS coaching?

I’ve quoted the International Coaching Federation before in articles, so thanks for letting me repeat myself. ICF describes coaching as:

“...partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

I love this definition. I love the emphasis on the 3Ps - partnership, process, and potential. Coaching uses inquiry and observation to help clients unlock what’s in their own heads. I’ve often described it as taking a client’s thoughts and beliefs and gently writing them on a whiteboard. With newfound visibility, the client and the coach can comment on those thoughts and beliefs, connecting dots and recognizing patterns.?

Coaches see their clients as creative, resourceful, and whole. There’s nothing wrong or broken. Clients seek coaching because they want to make a change on their path to becoming the best version of themselves.??

Coaching is a partnership and a process to maximize potential. In honor of these 3Ps, here are three more Ps to consider as you determine your own coaching readiness.

Purpose

Why do you want to work with a coach? What is your desired outcome? Understanding your why will shape your journey and influence the coaches you attract. My clients find me when they are:?

• In transition (preparing for new jobs, upleveling into larger roles, making career shifts)
• Targeting specific behaviors or mindsets (changing how they show up to others - or how they feel about themselves)
• Ready to transform (asking, “How did I get here?” or “Who am I?” or “What do I do now?”)

What's calling YOU to coaching?

Patience

I wish I had graduated from Hogwarts. I wish I had a magic wand that could quickly unlock clients’ potential, that could zap self-doubts and pulverize roadblocks on their journey toward self-awareness and self-appreciation. Growth takes time. The mental grooves we’re smoothing, the beliefs we’re replacing - we developed them over decades. Most coaches will recommend a minimum of three months, 6 biweekly sessions.

Do you have the patience to make magic without the wands?

Possibilities

Coaching is a time investment. It’s also a financial investment. If you want to work with a coach, explore funding possibilities. I recommend to my private clients that they ask their employers to pay for coaching - or at least offset the cost through a learning and development budget. If your organization won’t pay for it, calculate the ROI. If you achieve that transition, if your targeted behavior shifts, if your transformation yields a wildly happier you - what is that worth?

Identify what becomes possible with that investment in yourself - and then make it happen.

Wrapping up.

My employer paid for my first coach in 2015. I had my doubts, but that kickoff session blew my mind. I remember thinking, “How can a leader NOT have a coach?” I’ve had coaches in my life ever since. We each deserve to unlock our potential, to unleash our boldest bravest biggest selves.?

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Tina is the founder of WorkJoy, offering workjoy to individuals (through executive coaching and spiritual coaching) AND to organizations (through leadership coaching and team coaching). Unleash your potential. Unlock your superpowers. Honor your personal WHY. Contact us today to learn more!