| Maureen Cullen Cullen Coaching and Consulting 203-876-7242 http://www.cullencoaching.com Meet Your Coach |
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Some people are more aware than others of their weaknesses. The best way to fortify genuine self-worth and self-esteem is to work with a trained professional and examine self-beliefs.
Unfortunately, some who desire a coach are unprepared or unwilling to do the work. Coaching requires tremendous courage to face what other people may be saying about you, as well as the ability to treat their perceptions as valuable feedback. A coach can help you overcome inherent defense mechanisms that keep you in denial about your shortcomings.
Hiring your own coach creates some challenges: They can be expensive, and you will have to research the best one for your specific needs.
Be aware that in selecting a coach based on your personal feelings, you may not pick someone who best fits your needs. In other words, you run the risk of choosing someone you like, rather than someone you need.
Hire your own coach if you have questions or concerns about remaining with your company or personal development issues that are best left confidential. If you decide to take the plunge, contact your human resources department and ask for referrals.
You may also contact the local chapter of a national professional association, such as the American Society for Training and Development, International Coach Federation, or other coach and mentor groups. Be sure to specify that you want a executive career coach, rather than a personal or life coach. You want someone with experience in organizations and with executives. Pick a coach who has formal education in psychology or organizational development, as well as experience in real-world business dynamics.
Having a coach assigned to you by your company also poses a few problems. You probably won't get to choose your coach, and you will have to deal with confidentiality issues. Because the organization—not you—is the client, it can set the ground rules. You can—and should—require a confidentiality agreement in such cases. Ask for an up front agreement about what your coach will tell your employer.
If you don't feel you can confide in your coach about the real issues that concern you, you would be better off hiring your own coach.
How Does Coaching Take Place?
All coaching includes a process of assessment, setting goals for change, a plan for achieving these goals, accountability and a time line for working together (anywhere from 3 months to a year or more).
Before retaining a coach, ask about methods used, the steps you will be required to complete, how much time is involved, whether coaching will take place in person or by phone, which coaching model is used, whether outside contact with peers will occur and the limits of confidentiality. Set review periods to evaluate progress and determine if coaching will continue (and for how long).
By virtue of the learning experience gained from coaching, you acquire skills to continue learning in the real world without a coach. Some studies suggest coaching programs have high returns on investments—as much as 500 to 800 percent. It makes good business sense to invest in your leadership development.
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