What is Coaching
Coaching is a very personal, one-on-one leadership development process that assists a leader (new or experienced) in developing goals for their individual growth and addresses identified challenges within their leadership roles.

The coaching relationship is dynamic and fluid, evolving with the changing needs of the leader and the organization he or she represents.   The outcome is a leader that maximizes his or her potential in a confidential and trusting relationship that includes honest assessment, challenges, feedback, training, new tools and continuous growth in interpersonal effectiveness and the use of emotional intelligence.   The coach is there for support and to provide a path to one's goals.  

         THE SPORTS ANALOGY

The coach works with the players before the game
The coach creates practices for the players
The coach observes the players during the game and gives advice
The coach has a "Monday morning quarterbacking" session so players learn from their successes in the game and from the mistakes they made.
The coach and players create a plan for improvement for the next game.
The coach has the players practice the new game plan.
The coach, the players and the team supporters are committed to WIN!

Why Coaching Works
One or two day didactic leadership development training programs can enhance learning and get leaders charged to go back into the work environment and make change.   However, back at the worksite, the new ideas and leadership tools can soon be forgotten, and the same problems once again get in the way of making effective changes.   With a coach, the leader is able to address opportunities for change in real-time, using the daily events and challenges as a medium in which to apply the new ideas with the added advantage of now having a personal, independent and objective sounding board to figure out how to implement those changes.   Leadership skills can be developed in the context of the leader's actual role and the leader does not have to go offsite to learn new approaches to problem resolution or change.

How Coaching Works
The coach will stimulate collaborative inquiry and provide support and ongoing feedback as change and new approaches are implemented.   The coach asks many in-depth questions that serve to challenge a leader's thinking and empower him or her to consider alternative options and come up with workable solutions.

To take full advantage of a coaching relationship and the opportunities it brings, a leader must be committed and open to improving or enhancing his/her performance, be able to welcome honest feedback and be willing to devote both time and effort towards developing new ideas and taking purposeful action to make positive change.