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Executive CoachingWhere does coaching take place?We do a lot of our coaching by phone. This offers the client the flexibility of scheduling a coaching session at a mutually convenient time for both the client and coach. It saves time in traveling to and from coaching appointments. If possible, we do like to have an initial meeting in person. This is usually followed by phone sessions. If you prefer, we will arrange for coaching in-person sessions at a place that is convenient for you. How do organizations or companies initiate coaching services for their employees?Most of our coaching work starts with a call from a Human Resources professional or from the manager of the person to be coached. We discuss the types of services that are desired (e.g., 360 Feedback, followed by coaching - or coaching alone). After agreeing on the overall services that will be provided, the company authorizes a purchase order, and we initiate services with the person to be coached. How do I initiate coaching services for myself?Getting started is easy. We will set up a complimentary phone session (up to 30 minutes) to get to know more about you and to learn about your goals for enhanced performance and personal satisfaction. We will let you know if we feel that our services will be beneficial to you, and if so, we will talk with you about some of the ways we can work together. We will also explain our Coaching Agreement, which includes information about services, payment procedures, cancellations, confidentiality, etc. The first coaching session will begin after the Coaching Agreement is signed and Henson Associates has received the Agreement. We look forward to hearing from you! How do we define coaching?There are many possible definitions of coaching. As we use this term, it involves a one-on-one relationship. The coach is a trained & experienced individual who is skilled at being an effective resource partner for individuals who need (or want) to make an accelerated breakthrough in terms of results or satisfaction in their job, career, or life. As coaches, we are trained at listening, clarifying desired results, and facilitating problem-solving and decision-making. While we have considerable expertise in coaching, our primary role is not teaching or advice-giving. We "teach" skills much like a trainer, yet effective coaches only teach after they discover what their client already knows! When it is done effectively, the coaching partnership leads to personal insight, concrete planning, and a realistic assessment of the challenges and obstacles for the person being coached. While we may be called upon to be cheerleaders or to confirm what the client instinctively believes is the best approach, accountability (and credit) for results is always shared with the person being coached! Is our coaching just for executives?While executive coaching is quite common these days, the same partnership process that helps executives become more effective can work at virtually any level in the organization, as well as with small business owners, sole proprietors or people who are going through life or career changes. Henson Associates has coached hundreds of executives, managers, supervisors, engineers, scientists and other key contributors in organizations, as well as sole proprietors and entrepreneurs. How does coaching relate to 360 Feedback?Skilled coaching is a great complement to 360 Feedback! When it is effectively designed and administered in a way that ensures accurate and reliable feedback for the subject of the 360, a Feedback Report can be a centerpiece for coaching, individual development planning, and professional growth. In fact, 360 Feedback without any coaching can be worse than no feedback at all! On the other hand, coaching can be effective without 360 Feedback, yet the two together usually accelerate personal insight, behavior change, and improved results. Who are our typical coaching clients?Actually, there is no "typical" client at Henson Associates. Ages range from people in their early 20s to people over 60 years old. Occupations vary widely, although we have worked with a large number of technically-trained individuals (e.g., engineers, scientists, IT professionals, etc.). Our clients have been very diverse in terms of race, national origin, gender and other factors. Clients come from both the public and private sectors. Our ability to establish rapport and credibility and to gain the confidence of those we coach appears to transcend age, gender, background, occupation, or the organizational level of the people we coach. How long do we work with the person being coached?The coaching partnership generally lasts no less than three months, although each case is somewhat different. The time needed depends upon such things as:
How is coaching different from counseling or therapy?Counseling or therapy typically focuses solely on the needs, interests, goals and personal history of the individual client. It often focuses on helping a person deal with emotional pain and distress, either at the individual or relationship level. It is provided by a trained and licensed mental health provider. Our coaching, which is typically paid for by a work organization, focuses much more upon work-related issues and challenges. It focuses on the work-related needs, goals, and interests of the individual being coached and how that individual can fulfill these, while also fulfilling critical needs, goals, and interests of the organization and the manager for whom that individual works. We also coach individuals who are seeking personal or professional growth and who choose to pay for their own coaching sessions. For a phone interview to discuss options, please contact Nancy Henson. |