Introduction to Coaching

1. What is coaching?
Coaching is a professional service. You work with a coach to reach a goal, solve a problem,
make a life change, and learn new skills.

2. Why is coaching so popular?
People are less willing to wait for success and happiness. In an increasingly fast-paced life,
successful people realize they need more support."

3. Why does coaching work?
Individuals and organizations need unbiased feedback, support and brain storming to grow and change.

4. Why hire a coach?
To change, reach a goal, solve a problem, get a second opinion without a second agenda.

5. How long has coaching been in existence?
Modern coaches evolved from the industrial and sports psychologists in the 50's and 60's.
All-star athletes, business leaders, and cutting edge thinkers realized the study of peak performance
had real applications in their career for success, growth, and personal satisfaction.

6. How effective is phone coaching?
While I work both in person and by phone coaching is effective over the phone because there are fewer distractions for both parties. The phone is a convenient method of meeting. Clients can have their pick, of thousands of coaches worldwide.

7. But how can you pick up on important visual clues and body language?
There are more auditory clues than visual. I am trained to hear over 200 nuances.

8. What credentials do coaches have?
Most professional coaches have graduated from an extensive training program.
There are certifying organizations like Coach U and CoachVille, where I studied.
Coaches often bring tremendous life experience as well.
My best credential is my track record with individuals and organizations.

9. Where do the coach and client first focus?
Usually the client already knows what they want to accomplish, and we begin there.
I offer assessment tools as well to better understand both your life or business situation, and current needs.

10. How soon can the client expect to see results?
Usually during the first session, though it takes some clients a bit of processing to really integrate the changes in their lives. Their attitude will improve, they get working on something they have been stuck with,
or they'll make an important change quickly. The cumulative life changing benefits can be amazing.

11. How is coaching different from therapy?
A therapist is licensed to work with diagnosable psychological conditions: a coach is not.
An individual works with a therapist to resolve something that is causing pain, often from the past.
In my coaching I typically focus on what the client wants to accomplish in business or personally in the future.
Some clients work concurrently with a coach and a therapist, on different issues.

12. How is coaching different from consulting?
There are similarities between coaching and consulting. Most consultants are experts at information,
systems and business analysis. While I have experience in these areas, I am an expert in people
and life/success dynamics. Consultants are brought in to analyze a situation, and make recommendations.
People utilize me to help them reach business targets and/or to provide support and advice, either with individuals,
or with groups in an organization. Research has shown after one year that coaching is 80% effective:
consulting alone, only about 15%.

13. How much do coaches charge?
Average fees range between $200 and $1000 per month for 3 or 4 sessions, usually once a week, plus between session "just in time support". A lot depends on the expertise of the coach, the client and the market being served.

14. Is coaching a fad?
As long as people have personal and business needs and challenges, coaching will thrive.

15. How do I know coaching is working?
Do you see measurable life improvements? Are you achieving your goals quickly
and recognizing personal shifts in your attitude and actions?
Are you feeling happier and more successful in what you really value?
If not, be sure to share this with me so we can make the adjustments you need to get on track.

16. Do coaches give advice?
Yes, If you ask for it I do.-- I prefer to expand your options. It depends on my area of expertise.
I may on occasion ask for permission to share my experience with you as well.

17. What is the future of coaching?
Early coaching focused on, "take actions to get results".
This method expanded to, "increase your range of competencies and you'll get better results".
Currently, "crafting the environments in order to accelerate the outcomes", has been included as a powerful tool.
I use all these approaches.

Updated February 22, 2004
© 2001, Norm Shrewsbury - Life Coach - Business Coaching, all rights reserved
Shrewsbury and Associates, Path Of Happiness - Flagstaff Life Coaching

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