Pre-Coaching Considerations

~ Mark

Clear Purpose

The most effective coaching takes place when we are both clear about the change you are seeking. This may be straightforward, e.g.

  • Demonstrating a particular leadership competence in the workplace
  • Helping to create an effective personal plan for transition into a new role
  • Preparing for a significant career event
  • Guidance and support as you deal with a complex team situation

It may be that the purpose is less tangible and is around building your confidence and commitment e.g.

  • Guiding you as you learn how to deal with complex or difficult political/relationship issues
  • Coaching you to overcome a limiting behaviour that is impacting your performance and how you are perceived at work
  • Supporting you as you resolve career and personal work-life conflicts.

Measurable goals 

Whatever the intention of the coaching, you should be able to articulate the outcomes of working with me in measurable goals. The goals may be fairly tangible and have measures attached, They may also be more behavioural where your goals describe what would do differently: What would you be doing, saying, hearing and feeling that would be different from how it is now?

Way of Working

I work in a number of ways and bring a wide range of professional skills and experiences. It is important for you to think about what you want and don’t want from the way we work together. Some questions you might ask are:

  • What is your coaching approach?
  • How long have you been coaching, and what kind of clients/situations do you normally undertake?
  • Describe how you coach someone – how did you work with them, and what were the outcomes?
  • What situations and issues don’t you undertake?

Published by Mark

Like most people, I embarked on adulthood with a plan. Then life came along to remind me how silly most plans are. Life is random and both goes along with, and defies our plans. Like billions of others like me, I've learned this at the sharp end of life. But I am learning to live with it. So let's do what humans are good at and communicate with one another to make sense of this aspect of life.