What is coaching?
According to the International Coach Federation:

"Coaching is a partnership with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process which inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential."

Coaching honors the client as an expert in his/her personal and/or professional life. A coach believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
• Encourage client self-discovery
• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
• Hold the client as responsible and accountable

Professional Coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where clients are today and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be tomorrow.

In each meeting, the client is responsible for the agenda, while the coach helps guide the client using deep listening and powerful questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the client into action.

Why is coaching so powerful?
One of the primary reasons coaching is such a powerful method for moving clients forward with their lives is because the client is held accountable. In addition, coaches hold the clients' vision even when the client is doubting themselves. Coaches ask a client to stretch and expand beyond their comfort zone in order to achieve the results the client really wants.

How do coaches work with clients?
Every coach has their own unique style and method of working with clients. There are however, some commonly used methods. Coaching often consists of 1-to-1 telephone conversations, in 30, 45 or 60 minute intervals at pre-scheduled times with their coach. In addition, many coaches provide between session support and accountability, via e-mail or short, "laser coaching" telephone calls. Coaches can also choose to work with clients in person.

Because coaching is typically conducted over the telephone, location does not matter. A coaching session has the flexibility to occur with the coach and client located anywhere in the world.