What is Coaching?
In recent years it’s been hard not to notice the increasing demand and supply of coaches! Having an executive coach for CEO's and management teams is not unheard of in the corporate space, so it is no surprise that this has now caught on within the start-up environment, as running a challenger business comes with a lot of pressure, speed and growth.
I'll be honest, I was skeptical of coaching when I was first introduced to it, but can honestly say it has transformed me. Using a coach approach has been instrumental in shaping my management style, helped with my personal relationships and is the bedrock to how we approach our client consultancy work at OverTime Leader. Through my experience I have a real 360 understanding of coaching, from training as a coach and being one to using a coach as a founder/business owner, I now rely on one for my personal and business growth. I wanted to use this opportunity and platform to give some clarity around what coaching is and how much it can benefit leaders at any stage.
When I embarked on my Executive coaching training in 2011, coaching, especially in the UK was not as common as it is nowadays and was often dismissed as "wooly", a waste of time, no clear ROI and a sign of weakness. However, thanks to the persistence of coaches, a shift in management practices, and characters like Wendy Rhodes in HBOs Billions, we are now starting to become much more familiar with the actual performance side of coaching. Having a coach is a huge sign of success and I feel bad for leaders of any kind who are operating without a coach by their side.
Coaches, Mentors, Counsellors, Therapists, Advisors — what’s the difference and does it matter?
It does matter. Here’s why.
My Coaching trainers used the analogy of teaching someone to drive a car to clarify the differences in approaches (and results):
Mentors: Will give insight based on their experience in driving cars.
Counselors: Will listen to the anxieties that hold you back from driving a car.
Consultant: Will advise you on how to drive the car.
Therapists: Look back to understand what in your past might be holding you back from driving a car.
Coaches: Build your confidence in driving the car by encouraging and supporting you.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) does an amazing job at trying to bring standards into coaching so that the expectations of what a coach is there to do is clear.
I think it is fantastic that the general awareness and openness to having a coach is increasing but I’m starting to find that most people don’t know what coaching actually is, and are, therefore, not asking the right questions when seeking a coach. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of people are missing out on great coaches because they may not fit a ‘profile’ or are disappointed when a great coach doesn’t meet their, potentially misaligned expectations.
Final Thoughts
There are many types of coaching and coaches. I went through an intensive Executive Coaching program which gave me a very matter-of-fact approach, that also works well for my personal style. It’s not better or worse than any other approach, if the coaches are following the ICF code of ethics. I have experienced coaches with different styles that are not similar to my style. So there is no one size fits all solution.
From my own experience, I’ve seen the biggest results when I have really dug deep and did the work in between sessions. I sometimes feel people’s expectations of a coach is that they’ll have a few sessions and see miracles. Coaching is about helping you change, grow, stretch and give you that mental clarity to take action. Coaches aren’t miracle workers, but when the chemistry is right, they are a leader's best friend.
“Nothing will work unless you do” — Maya Angelou
[FAQ] How to find the right coach
In my opinion, in its simplest form coaches help you to achieve results. They not only help you get really clear on what your goals are and why they matter, they see things you don’t see and are there to put a mirror up to your blind spots. Sound scary? If you’re not ready to face some truths about who you are and what gets in the way, coaching might not be right for you. As a client, you have to be willing and ready to do the work.
Coaches can bring you to water but they shouldn’t force you to drink!
Working with your coach enables you to stay focused and accountable to what you have defined as the most important goals are to focus on. If you’re struggling to imagine what that might look like, here’s where my coach has been instrumental in my growth:
How to approach a difficult situation with a client
Proposition development and testing
Creating a deeper connection with my intuition
Recognizing areas I have been avoiding due to fear (public speaking, writing, etc)
Honestly, from experience, you’d be surprised to find what ends up coming up for you in the session. It’s like light-bulb after light-bulb, and what was the deal-maker for me was that it was time for me to have space for me to find my own answers.
As leaders, we are often surrounded by other people’s opinions, which can be helpful and detrimental if you don’t take the time to make your own calls. Coaching gives you space to asses the opinions and come to the decisions that make sense for you.
How to find the right Coach for you
After talking to a founder friend of mine I was motivated to help the cause by clarifying the differences between coaches and therapists, but also how to look for the right coach. I’ve gathered a bunch of questions that I get from founders around the topic. Here we go:
How does it work?
Every coach has their own style and delivery, so you have to play around with what connects with you best. I see my coach via a Zoom, some coaches prefer face to face, whereas I prefer to use the phone. There are many ways a coaching relationship can work in both frequencies; weekly sessions, bi-weekly, monthly or duration; an hour, 90 mins+, a day!
It needs to work for you and it needs to work for the coach. From experience on both sides, avoid dragging sessions out and leaving it ad hoc. Having the consistency and commitment to see you through an extended period of time is good for you, and your coach.
Where can I find a coach?
The best place to start would be by visiting the International Coaching Federation's (ICF) website. You can find a coach on their website with the right accreditations and training, it also lists locations and prices.
Do they need to be an expert in my area?
No, unless you are looking for specific expertise, I would say that’s more advisory, however, a lot of great advisors have a coach approach.
What should I ask them?
What’s their style and approach, most coaches offer a 1:1 complimentary chemistry session to check fit. The chemistry will define the relationship so don’t settle!
How much do they charge?
Executive coaching rates range from £200 up to £1000+ per session. Packages are very common and preferred.
How often should I see them?
It depends. I would suggest no less than monthly, but it’s up to you and the coach to define a cadence that will help you stretch and reach your goals.
When is it time to move on?
When it’s not working for you, however, please give it time, especially if it’s your first coach. Trust the process and give it 100%. If the chemistry is off and you feel like you’re not able to really open up then that’s a sign you should move on.
Should I get a coach for someone in my team?
Although that’s likely a well-intentioned gesture, in my experience managers finding coaches for their teams doesn’t have a 100% success rate. We refuse to be referred unless there is clear communication between the manager, coachee, and coach on why the manager thinks they would benefit from a coach and what they would want them to focus on in the session. However, we make it clear that the session is 100% confidential unless agreed otherwise by the coachee, and that our primary client is the coachee, not the manager. Often, I would say that the manager would be better off getting a coach for themselves to manage hard and direct conversations than just passively referring them to see a coach.
If you’re interested in developing your leadership style in these uncertain times, you might be interested in talking to us about some of our remote offerings.
At OverTime Leader we provide executive leadership and management advisory for technology-enabled businesses and teams. If you are looking to spark a people-powered change in your business our team has a toolbox full of ways to help you get started.
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