Who do you talk to?
I am serious.
After working as an Executive Coach, a Leadership Coach, a Queen's Smith School of Business MBA Coach and a Life Coach for over 17 years, I have been trained in a wide variety of tools, skills, leadership models, personality assessments and so on. A number of these can be quite helpful...but here's the thing.
The common denominator for my clients regardless of position, status, or situation is that they get great value out of having an independent, professional, trained, and experienced individual to talk to about what is really going on. Someone that will not judge. Someone that will not make assumptions or offer a diagnosis. Someone who is fully present, interested, and skilled at helping them figure out what is going on - really going on...and perhaps most importantly, what they want to do about it. This is the essence of Professional Coaching.
Some liken coaching to therapy or counselling but to be clear, my role is not to diagnose, treat or fix you in any way. In fact, my starting point for our work is that you are "naturally creative, resourceful and whole".
Life is not linear. In fact, I would say life is often very messy, occaisionally confusing and sometimes downright intimidating. Would you see value in having a confidential conversation about what you are going through, what you are experiencing, and what challenges you are facing without being assessed, criticized, or told what you "should do"?
This is the role I play as a Professional Coach. I will ask questions, highlight elements of your conversation back to you, identify what I hear and see are unique strengths, talents, and values that you can use to address whatever it is you are facing at work, at home or in life.
Executives - almost by definition, your role is a lonely one. Trusted confidants are hard to find. Know that I have no vested interest in anything but your satisfaction with my service. There is no conflict of interest, no hidden agenda, or ulterior motives when working with me as your Executive Coach. My role is to support you and your personal growth and professional development.
Leaders - understanding who you are as a leader can be a long effort of trial and error, frustration and stress. Some of this is inevitable as a result of your responsibilities as a leader. However, I can help support you through the learning process, highlighting shortcuts to help you avoid the major issues while suggesting different approaches that may resonate with your particular style of leadership.
Individuals - Often the most basic questions we deal with are the most difficult to sort through by ourselves. Questions like, "Am I doing okay?" or, "Am I on the right track?" or "What can I do to realise the happiness I seek and the success I deserve?" These are big questions and worthy of meaningful conversation.
So, do you have someone you can really talk to?
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