We live in constant motion and in an ever-changing world. As a result it’s easy to forget that we have choices in everything we do. Coaching is about exploring the choices available to us and then making decisions that will help us to develop both personally and professionally. Discovering what is most important to you. Choosing your own path and selecting the experiences you want most from life.

Who uses a Coach?

• Anyone who would like to make changes in their personal or professional life and is willing to invest the time and energy into making those changes.
• People who want less anxiety, stress or doubt and more clarity, achievement and balance.
• Businesses of any size, the Self-Employed and individuals who want to manage change more effectively.
• Anyone who needs to deal with an ever-increasing, stressful, challenging life and competitive workplace.
• Individuals from all walks of life.

What does a Coach do?

A good Coach will help you to look at the whole picture – with an emphasis on producing action and uncovering learning that can lead to more fulfillment, balance and a greater sense of achievement in your personal and professional life.

In order to get best results a Coach will work on a one-to-one basis either face to face or by telephone and is committed to helping you to develop your dreams, aspirations and passions, discovering what you value and what you want from life.

In the coaching sessions you will be helped to tune into the potential of yourself and others.  We will work with you to help you get the best out of every situation.

You will also be helped to take the steps needed to reach your goals and encouraged, motivated and supported throughout this process.

Most importantly a Coach provides you with a confidential and independent ‘sounding board’. A place where you are free to share any of your concerns safe in the knowledge that you will be supported throughout the whole process.

What are the benefits of Coaching?

With the assistance of a Coach you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop your ideas and turn them into achievements.
• Develop your communication, leadership, and time-management skills.
• Support a healthy balance between your personal and professional growth.
• Achieve and maintain balance between your values, beliefs and goals.
• Manage stress more effectively.
• Develop Self-Confidence

Choosing Your Coach

There is a wide variety of Coaches from a wide variety of backgrounds so consider the questions below when choosing a Coach.

• What is the Coach’s professional training and background?
• Does the Coach have an understanding of how you best learn?
• Do you feel comfortable with the Coach?
• Does the Coach show balance between supporting and challenging you?
• Does the Coach have the experience, training and/or qualifications that are relevant to your needs?
• Does the Coach engage in regular Continued Professional Development to ensure his/her skills are up-dated?
• Does the Coach have a Coaching Supervisor (this is someone the Coach can talk to who acts as a quality control mechanism) or belong to a Co-Coaching group?
• What is the model of practice/methodology/coaching philosophy used by the Coach and how it is suitable for addressing my current challenges?
• Does the Coach have a Code of Ethics and Complaints procedure?
• Have you discussed with the Coach your expectations of coaching and the goals you want to achieve?
• Check your preferred method of working, face-to-face, tele-coaching, email or a combination of two or more of these are offered by the Coach
• What are the fees, payment terms, frequency and estimated duration of the coaching sessions?
• Have you and the Coach arranged regular review sessions to evaluate my progress?
• Do you feel the coaching relationship is necessary and beneficial to me right now? Do not be coerced into a coaching contract unless you are satisfied that it is of use to you.

It is highly advised that you discuss these points either prior to or during your initial conversations with your Coach. This will help you get the best service while being clear about what is involved in the coaching process.

General issues to be aware of:

• If you are not comfortable with the coaching relationship, then it is important to raise this with the Coach. You are the purchaser of a service – if you feel it is not meeting your requirements, and then cancel the Coaching arrangement.
• Different techniques/exercises work for different people, if something is not working for you, let your Coach know this. You Coach will welcome the feedback.
• If you have any doubts about the coaching you are receiving, discuss these with your Coach, and if still uncertain, seek advice from the Association for Coaching.
• If you feel uncomfortable, undermined or manipulated at any time within the session discuss this with the Coach. It is easier to resolve issues as and when they arise.
• If you have contracted for individual sessions with your Coach you have the right to terminate Coaching at any time. If your coaching is part of a programme or if you have signed a contract for a set number of sessions you may incur a financial penalty.
• As with counselling and psychotherapy it is not in the client’s best interests for the coach and client to be engaged in a sexual relationship and research supports this view.

These guidelines have been produced following the work done by Professor Stephen Palmer PhD – a leading authority on Coaching Psychology in the UK who is Director of the Centre for Coaching and Founder of the Coaching Psychology Division of the British Psychological Society – and Kasia Syzmanska, a Chartered Psychologist and Coach.

www.elementals.net   ross@elementals.net   m: 07890 190371   t:0116 2826361