The role of the life coach
If you're calling on the services of a life coach, it's a good idea to understand their role in the working relationship you're about to establish.
You've most likely made the decision because there's an issue to address.
In these few paragraphs, I provide an insight into what a client can expect from most – but not all – life coaching relationships. The perspective comes from working with organisations in house and as a consultant.
WORKING TO THEIR BEST
Many organisations regard a life coaching intervention as an investment. They want their people engaged and working to their best. The employee might be plateauing or have become entrenched in a way of thinking or working that fails to serve them well. Or they or their employer know they're capable of much more. Sometimes, a life coach is brought in to help individuals navigate their way through a period of major change.
An effective coach can help you to plan a route (and the emphasis is on you) to resolve the issue. However tempting it might be for the life coach to provide answers, many life coaches (this one included) are non-directive. The belief being that the client has the answers and the life coach role is to help unlock them.
The relationship begins with an exploratory discussion of the issue, the expectations of both parties and an idea of the desired outcome. The client is expected to commit to any action that arises from each session.
A priority for the life coach is to create a confidential and trusting environment in which the client can speak openly. The effective coach is a skilled listener. Expect them to spend roughly 75 per cent of the session listening and only 25 per cent speaking during which time they will be clarifying and probing.
FRAMEWORK
The coach introduces a process to enable the client to identify and address what's impeding their progress or for them to consider new possibilities. The aim is to help the client move from where they're now to where they want to be.
Within this framework, the coach might draw upon established models and tools such as the Wheel of Life to diagnose the "as is," gauging what's going well and what could be getter. This tool can help the client identify any satisfaction gaps and pressure points in their personal and professional areas. This understanding is an important part of the process because we need to know clearly where we are now before deciding where we want to be.
THE JOURNEY IS OFTEN MORE IMPORTANT
In many cases, the life coach will encourage the client to set goals and break these into bite-sized, manageable and realistic actions. I'm a strong advocate of goal setting. Goals are beacons that light the road ahead. Reaching each milestone is worthy of acknowledgment because it shows that progress is being made.
Life is a journey; one of self-discovery and self-actualisation. It shapes us. Through it, we grow and learn. It is the real prize rather than the destination. As the US tennis legend Arthur Ashe said: "The doing is often more important than the outcome."
THE FOLLOW-UP
A series of monitor-and-review sessions where progress can be discussed is likely to be scheduled. Face to face works well but email, telephone and online communication are options.
There only needs to be few of these sessions. The aim is to equip clients with the tools and techniques so they can make headway on their journey by themselves though seeking out a good support network can be useful.
It's often said that a coach needs a coach. This is so true. For this reason, organisations such as the Association for Coaching encourages members to take part in co-coaching activities so they can keep up with best practice and understand the entire process from a client's perspective.
- Check out Mervin's pocket-sized self-coaching book Imagine Life As Three Bus Journeys. Printed by Lightning Source, it's available for £9.99 in the UK and $11.99 in the US. Retailers include Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.