What is coaching?
The International Coach Federation defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a
thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal
and professional potential.”
Simply put, coaching is a process that works toward closing the gap between where you
are now in your life and where you want to be.
As a coach, I help people discover their strongest values and deepest passions and
connect those to their goals and dreams so that they can thrive.
What’s the difference between coaching, consulting, and therapy?
Professional coaching is a distinct service which focuses on an individual’s life as it relates to goal setting, outcome creation and personal change management. In an effort to understand what a coach is, it can be helpful to distinguish coaching from other professions that provide personal or organizational support.
Let’s say you wanted to ride a bicycle and you went to a therapist, a consultant and a coach to get help with that.
The therapist might have you approach the bike and ask how that feels, what prior associations you have with the bike, how do those past associations affect your current feelings about the bike and riding it, and so forth.
A consultant would hop on the bike, ride it, and give you a report with instructions on how to ride the bike yourself.
A coach will have you get on the bike and walk alongside you until you can do it on your own.
How does it work?
Generally, coaching is done by telephone, so you can be anywhere in the world as long as we can arrange a time to meet together.
We usually have three 40-minute sessions a month.
You hold the agenda. Because I believe with all my heart that you are the expert on your life and dreams and that you already have the answers inside of you, I ask questions to draw out your responses. Together, we might make a plan of action, set some goals, arrive at a way for you to be accountable to your goals, and celebrate your successes. Or we might do something different. Much of it depends on what will meet your needs in your situation.
Is there something I could read that would give me more information?
Click here for a free e-book about choosing a coach and getting the most out of the coaching relationship.
Why, yes there is! Two former faculty members of the Coaches Training Institute have written a very good and accessible guide to coaching and how to make the most of your work with a coach.
Download and read it. I’d love to talk with you about whether or not coaching is a good fit for where you are in your life right now and where you’d like to be in your life next.
The best way to find out whether coaching is right for you is to try it. Call me at
(715) 869-3003 to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation sample session.