There are many variations of the professional coaching process. At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio leverages use of a world class assessment and best practices from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the international hub of all things coaching for trained professional coaches. In the beginning stages of the coaching journey, clients are educated on this process so they know what to expect and have the opportunity to ask any questions they might have and get answers to these questions. Communicating the coaching process allows for consistency on the journey and helps both coach and client as they prepare for coaching sessions. It is also important to note this is an investment in the coaching relationship where trust might be built between coach and client. Additionally, not only at Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio but in coaching practices worldwide, it is generally agreed that the client-coach relationship is a powerful tool which is credited for achieving positive results and growth.
So, to ensure it is clear, leveraging the official definition from the International Coaching Federation, coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.
Coaching can be an exciting journey to take you forward to places you had not previously were possible!
So, how does this coaching process work? at Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio Coaching depends heavily on this powerful relationship between coach and client. If the coach and client are a good match, this relationship will be strengthened over the coaching journey. Through attentiveness, listening well, maintaining a safe environment, and communicating truthfully, trust and the strength of the client-coach relationship is built over time. This allows the coach to facilitate growth for the client as they work toward specific goals.
As noted earlier, there are variations different coaches engage but, generally speaking a consistent format is used. At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio the following key steps are involved in the process: a free consultation where it is determined if coach and client are a good fit as well as conducting a question and answer period where both parties are able to share. If both parties determine it is a good fit, the coaching package options are reviewed and the client selects the most appropriate package for their situation, reserves their coaching spot, and the coaching journey will begin. Then next step is the extended intake session which is scheduled once the coaching package is selected as noted above. This longer initial session includes some administrative activities to include instruction on the structure of the coaching sessions themselves, the expectations and the cadence and format to be followed. A simple coaching contract is also reviewed and signed by both parties as a formalized agreement of the relationship as well as confirmation of payment details and timing. As appropriate, selected coaching references are provided to the client as well for them to review prior to the next session. The client is also provided an overview of the assessment they will take before the next session, details on how to access it and the instructions on how it is taken. . All coaching clients are encouraged to take an initial world class assessment which provides a baseline as the coaching process begins. Whether a client is participating in individual coaching or team/group every client is provided with a personalized out brief where a client’s specific assessment results will be reviewed. This allows the client to fully understand the results, ask any questions they may have, as well as begin to process and appreciate these findings. During this session, there will also be an initial goal setting discussion. Depending on the client’s ability to articulate their goals and desires for moving forward, the conversation will continue with the initiation of the bi-weekly coaching sessions or during the larger team session where this might be conducted as a group exercise.
. At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio bi-weekly coaching sessions have a standard format where a check-in from the previous week is conducted and then the topic and success measures will be set up front for the session, by the client. The bi-weekly (i.e., every two weeks) cadence allows for the client to do any homework identified during the previous coaching session. These sessions will continue for the period selected during the initial session where a coaching package was selected. There is always an opportunity to adjust should the client determine there needs have changed. The coaching relationship might last anywhere from six weeks to a year or more depending on where the client is and what goals for which they might seek support. Clients have both short term and long term needs and it is not uncommon to address a short term need and then reach out and re-establish coaching sessions to address particular issues.
Typically an extended out take session is also conducted prior to wrapping up a particular coaching engagement. This allows for a review of what has been accomplished, what the action plan for client is going forward, and to ensure questions are answered prior to closing out this particular chapter of the coaching journey. Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio Clients might seek to have regular check-ins at longer intervals, say, once per quarter or some other timeframe agreed upon by coach and client. However, this is something which will be determined by coach and client as they reach this point in the coaching journey.
Just a note about coaching at the youth level. At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio, the parent is consulted and will be included as desired. The parent or responsible adult will direct the approach. The coach will always confer with the involved adult to determine the optimal approach.
So these are the details for the coaching process at Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio. It is important that the client understands these up front in order to minimize surprises and the emotional energy sometimes required to address these. Instead, energy is spent in facilitating the client’s pursuit of their goals, course correcting as needed and providing guidance and direction as clients become the best versions of themselves, pursue their potential and live a full life where that might best thrive.