Answers to the most commonly asked questions about coaching
You may have questions about coaching, the coaching process, pricing, payment or any other related issues. If your query is not listed below, please get in touch.
Coaching
What is coaching?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as follows: “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential.”
A coach will not provide specific advice or give you a ‘cheat-sheet’ for making changes. There is no simple ‘three-step process’ for making personal change. The coach will ask tailored questions to help you reflect on what is important to you and how to move forward.
Here’s an excellent illustration of what coaching is all about, created by Wellcoaches: “How coaching works”
Who can benefit from coaching?
In a nutshell, I believe coaching can be beneficial to everyone if it is approached professionally and conducted by a certified coach. It is sometimes thought that coaching is reserved for executives or high potential employees in an organisation. It is my goal to challenge this view and demonstrate why coaching is relevant to all levels of employees and those seeking support with career, life and retirement challenges.
The focus is on change, action and growth.
It is important to emphasise that engaging in coaching is not something to be embarrassed or ashamed of. Rather, it is a form of personal or professional development and something to be proud of.
How do I find the right coach?
Finding a suitable coach can sometimes be challenging. Unfortunately, there are no barriers to calling yourself a coach. So it is important to explore whether the coach’s level of experience, professional skills and certification align with your expectations.
A certified and ICF accredited coach is a trained professional who supports the client to set and achieve goals, gain a new perspective, develop strategies for moving forward and overcome potential obstacles.
What exactly does it mean to be a 'PCC' accredited coach?
‘PCC’ stands for ‘Professional Certified Coach’, which is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
In order to earn PCC accreditation by the International Coaching Federation, coaches must complete 125 hours of coach-specific education, pass the ICF Credentialing Exam, and document a minimum of 500 hours of client coaching.
‘ACC’ (Associate Certified Coach) accredited coaches only need to document 60 hours of coach-specific education and a minimum of 100 coaching hours, compared to PCC accredited coaches.
The scope of coaching
What is outside of the scope of coaching?
It is important to highlight when coaching is not useful or appropriate. As an example, coaching is not a substitute for counselling or psychotherapy. Mental health and life challenges that a therapist can help with are out of scope for coaches.
Likewise, coaching is not a ‘quick fix’, where you are told what to do and how to do it. The process involves reflection, and stepping out of your comfort zone. It is more than a long conversation, no matter how interesting it might be.
What’s the difference between counselling, consulting and coaching?
As a general rule, counsellors attempt to understand how the past influences the present experience of their clients in order to achieve healing and resolve emotional pain. Coaching focuses on the present and the future.
Consultants are experts who provide professional or technical advice or opinions. As specialists, they are expected to understand the problem and provide solutions appropriate to their area of expertise. In general, consultants provide answers to their clients, whereas coaches guide their clients in identifying their own solutions.
In summary, coaches are not consultants, counsellors or therapists and refrain from giving any advice or solving their clients’ issues.
What’s the difference between coaching and mentoring?
A coach provides guidance on a client’s goals and empowers them to unlock and maximise their potential. A mentor in contrast shares their experience, knowledge and skills with the client. This results in the client taking a more passive role, rather than experiencing the sustainable transformational change coaching sessions provide.
Both coaching and mentoring have the intention to help people achieve their goals. However, these methods differ as coaching uses powerful exploratory questions to help the client increase their self-awareness, clarify their thoughts and feelings and solve their own problems. Coaching helps the clients to learn, rather than teaching them. In coaching the client does most of the talking compared to mentoring where the mentor provides advice based on their expertise.
Coaching sessions
Is it necessary to schedule a Discovery Call before I book a single session or package?
It is highly recommended to schedule a Discovery Call to discuss what coaching is all about, establish expectations, and determine whether coaching is the best option for you.
What happens after the Discovery Call?
The Discovery Call is a no-commitment conversation. I encourage you to take some time afterwards to consider whether you would like to work with me.
Subject to both parties being happy to proceed, I will draw up a simple coaching contract which will include the number of sessions and the area we are going to focus on. Once you have signed the agreement, an invoice will be issued and upon receiving payment you will receive a link to a booking website to schedule your sessions.
How do I schedule the sessions?
Once payment has been received, you will receive a link to my booking calendar to schedule your sessions.
Who is responsible for scheduling the coaching sessions within the allocated time frame?
You are responsible for booking the sessions within the allocated time frame, as outlined in the coaching agreement.
Are the sessions run in person or online?
Sessions are predominantly conducted online to accommodate busy schedules and make it possible for clients across the globe to access my coaching services. Meeting online also enables me to offer more competitive rates. However, if you prefer to meet in person this can be arranged.
How many coaching sessions will I need?
There are no hard-and-fast rules about the number and frequency of coaching sessions, and everyone’s situation is different. Generally speaking, clients start with 3-6 sessions, then extend the number of sessions if desired.
Will our sessions be confidential?
I abide by the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics, which covers the ICF core values, ethical principles and ethical standards of professional conduct for all ICF professionals, including confidentiality. As an ICF certified coach, I maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality. What we discuss will not leave the room with a few exceptions concerning legal and wellbeing issues, which we can discuss during the Discovery Call.
During coaching, my personal or business information will be stored with you. Will it be safe?
I abide by the principles of relevant data protection laws in each country, and specifically, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
What if I have to cancel my coaching sessions?
You may cancel a coaching session up to 24 hours prior to the booked session time. A session that has not been cancelled at least 24 hours beforehand will be forfeited.
Payment
When is payment due?
Full payment for individual sessions is due after signing the coaching agreement, prior to each coaching session.
Full payment for your chosen coaching package is due after signing the coaching agreement, prior to the first session commencing.
What are my payment options?
You can pay via an Electronic Funds Transfer or with your credit card via PayPal. Coaching fees listed are in Australian dollars.
Coaching packages
If I choose a single session and then decide to purchase a package, can I count the single session as part of the package?
No, the single session will not be calculated as part of the package. You will receive a separate agreement or proposal for the package and an invoice to purchase the package.
What if I’m unsure about being available for my coaching sessions within the allocated time frame?
If you are unsure, it might be best to wait until you are certain you have the time to participate in the coaching sessions.
SMART goals
What are Smart Goals?
Setting SMART goals means setting Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic, and Timely goals. In setting goals, it serves as an acronym to remind us of a few key principles. Unmet goals frequently result from failure to address these elements.
| Specific | It is more difficult to achieve or measure a goal that is vague or ill-defined | A person might aspire to ‘exercise more’ but a specific goal would be given in the form of “I plan to walk around the block three mornings a week.” |
| Measurable | If specific goals are set, the individual will be able to measure progress and modify the goals accordingly | It may be that a person has been able to walk around the block once a week (not three times) and can determine whether to increase their effort or modify the goal. |
| Attractive | A goal that is attractive is more likely to be maintained on a long-term basis. | For example, when making the decision to exercise more, it is best to choose an exercise that is appealing to the individual’s personal interests, useful, and suitable to their personal circumstances and lifestyle. |
| Realistic | If a goal is unrealistic, it will lead to discouragement and failure if it is not achieved. | For example, trying to go from no exercise to running every day of the week would be unlikely to be both attainable and sustainable. |
| Timely | Having a specific time frame for achieving a goal rather than having an open-ended one is helpful in increasing focus and maintaining motivation. | For example, setting a goal like competing in a 5-kilometre fun-run six months from now can prevent us from becoming complacent. |
As a result, we can make our goals more specific, map our progress, provide incentives, and ensure we keep to realistic goals.
SMART goals
What are Smart Goals?
Setting SMART goals means setting Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic, and Timely goals. In setting goals, it serves as an acronym to remind us of a few key principles. Unmet goals frequently result from failure to address these elements.
| Specific |
| It is more difficult to achieve or measure a goal that is vague or ill-defined |
| A person might aspire to ‘exercise more’ but a specific goal would be given in the form of “I plan to walk around the block three mornings a week.” |
| Measurable |
| If specific goals are set, the individual will be able to measure progress and modify the goals accordingly |
| It may be that a person has been able to walk around the block once a week (not three times) and can determine whether to increase their effort or modify the goal. |
| Attractive |
| A goal that is attractive is more likely to be maintained on a long-term basis. |
| For example, when making the decision to exercise more, it is best to choose an exercise that is appealing to the individual’s personal interests, useful, and suitable to their personal circumstances and lifestyle. |
| Realistic |
| If a goal is unrealistic, it will lead to discouragement and failure if it is not achieved. |
| For example, trying to go from no exercise to running every day of the week would be unlikely to be both attainable and sustainable. |
| Timely |
| Having a specific time frame for achieving a goal rather than having an open-ended one is helpful in increasing focus and maintaining motivation. |
| For example, setting a goal like competing in a 5-kilometre fun-run six months from now can prevent us from becoming complacent. |
As a result, we can make our goals more specific, map our progress, provide incentives, and ensure we keep to realistic goals.
