Why Coaching Works: Accountability Key

Research studies confirm that coaching leads to positive outcomes. Among others, coaching will increase self-confidence about reaching goals. In surveys, clients often list as most helpful the input of the coach and feedback that they receive . 

However, often overlooked but nevertheless extremely powerful is another aspect of coaching: Accountability.

In a good client-coach relationship, the coach will regularly inquire about progress toward goals and what has been accomplished since the last meeting. As it turns out, this is a strong motivator: Knowing that the coach will follow up, makes the client more likely to follow trough with necessary action steps.

“If someone has thought about taking some action, but is the only person who knows about it, it is much easier to postpone taking action.” (Jack Zenger, American Society for Training & Development)

In sum, coaching works because the coach will ask the client to commit to action by asking typical coaching questions such as “What will you do?” and “When will you do it?” and later then follows up with questions about the status of the plan. 

Author: Christiane Turnheim. Christiane is Life Coach, teaches psychology at a community college in Massachusetts and is author of the book “Job-Satisfaction – Learn to Love Your Job”.  Website:  www.coach4u.net ; email: ten.u4hcaocnull@enaitsirhc

 

 


What is coaching?

First, coaching is about helping you to get what you want. Coaching offers the possibility for change.

Coaching is based on a special relationship between the coach and the client:

As your coach I assist you in becoming clear about what you want in your life. I will always focus on you–on your thoughts, concerns, dreams, and wishes. I will work with you to discover your values, goals and life purpose. You will find out what you feel that you “must try out or do” to avoid having regrets about missed opportunities later in life. You will create a vision of your future and I will support you to make changes in your life that are needed to achieve what you most desire.


What will I get from coaching?

At the end of our coaching relationship, you will know what you are passionate about. You will understand what has kept you from achieving your full potential. You will be clear about what you absolutely have the ability to accomplish. You will have developed a plan for how to get where you want to be. You will take action to turn the vision of your future into reality. You will know how to live the life of your dreams.


Benefits of coaching?

The benefits of coaching are described by the International Coach Federation as follows:

”Individuals who engage in a coaching relationship can expect to experience fresh perspectives on personal challenges and opportunities, enhanced thinking and decision making skills, enhanced interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life roles. Consistent with a commitment to enhancing their personal effectiveness, they can also expect to see appreciable results in the areas of productivity, personal satisfaction with life and work, and the achievement of personally relevant goals.”


Is coaching the same as psychotherapy?

Coaching differs from therapy because coaching sessions are primarily focused on the future. Coaching puts emphasis on moving forward, learning and achievement. Therapy, on the other hand, puts emphasis on healing emotional pain and/or dysfunctional behavior stemming from past experiences. Coaches help clients to make changes in their lives by discussing their present lives, creating a vision of the future, and designing an action plan. Typical elements of therapy like analyzing past events, understanding emotions, or determining the cause of behaviors are normally not addressed in a coaching session. As co-active coach, I view my clients as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole people.


What is co-active coaching?

I’m trained as co-active coach by the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) with headquarter in the San Francisco Bay area. CTI is according to their website  “the largest in-person coach training school in the world… Co-Active Coaching is a unique, proactive alliance in which coach and client work together as equals to meet the needs of the client. Fervent curiosity is more important for the coach than specialized knowledge. Skills and techniques are important; authenticity and connection are more important.
CTI holds that all people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole, and capable of finding their own answers to whatever challenges they face. The job of the Co-Active Coach is to ask questions, listen, and empower rather than instruct and advise. We also believe that all parts of people’s lives – their careers, relationships, recreation, personal growth, and finances for example – are interrelated and may be addressed on the way to the client’s goal. We coach the whole person to extraordinary results.


Topics of coaching?

Basically, anything and everything could be a topic for coaching. My special programs are directed at clients who are faced with a crisis or big changes in their life, or feel stuck at some point and don’t know what to do about it. Examples would be: Feeling stuck in career or indecision which career to choose, considering dropping out of college or high school, moving from a foreign country to the USA and struggling with culture and lifestyle changes, as spouse of expatriate without own work permit feeling robbed of purpose in life, severe illness like cancer, divorce………


What does it cost?

I offer several programs (see: Coaching programs and fees). A single Core value session, which lasts 90 minutes, costs $ 250. The fee for a typical coaching month with three 45 minutes sessions and unlimited email support between the sessions is $ 375, to be paid in advance. It is possible to stretch the sessions over a longer time frame to lower the monthly costs.


What if I don’t have that much money? Any discounts?

I reserve two scholarship spots with a largely reduced fee for clients with limited funds. Call or email me for more information about the scholarship programs. 


How long will I need coaching?

Big changes don’t happen overnight. I ask my clients to commit to a minimum of three months of coaching. This will give us enough time to discover what really matters to you and create a plan to achieve your goals. Many coaching relationships last longer than 3 months, but this decision will be up to you. As client, you will pay me on a monthly basis and at any time you can end our coaching relationship by not paying the next installment (even within the first three months).