What is Coaching and what does a Coach do ?

We can define Coaching in the following way: “A process of reflection in which one starts from the actual personal or professional situation to reach a desired situation in a determined time”. Within the framework of this process, the Coach accompanies, guides and helps the client so that he becomes aware of his own situation and his responsibilities in order to define a programme of actions which will allow him to attain the concrete professional or personal objectives.

What aspects can be worked on with a Coach?

Concrete objectives which represent the situation desired by the client in relation to the actual situation. Coaching helps the reformulation of objectives in such a way that the client is the only person responsible for their achievement.
At a personal level: feeling, changes, challenges, doubts, decisions, plans, fears, progress, etc; everything which can improve the actual situation of a person
At a professional level: staff management, management of time, agendas, lack of motivation, objectives in the company, institutions challenges, progress, plans, internal management, forecast, problems which affect the output, productivity, conflict management, balance between personal and professional life; etc; as at the personal level, everything which can improve the professional situation of a person.

What differentiates Coaching from psychology and consultancy ?

In relation to psychology, the Coaching process is situated between the present and the future, not by going back into episodes of the past which could be the cause of psychological traumas of the individual, but by extracting all the individual’s potential and leaning on his own resources to allow him to attain his objectives in a concrete period of time.

In relation to consultancy, the Coach does not lead nor advise the client, his actions being the fruit of his own reflection.

How do I work with my Coach?

Coaching sessions are mainly personal or telephone conversations of a length of between 60 and 90 minutes during which the Coach guides the client by means of open questions and active listening turned towards his objectives, helping him to clarify his ideas and wishes. As instruments complementary to the conversation, the Coach uses among numerous other resources, tools of different types in order to obtain significant information that shed light on the clients next steps and to push the client into action.

How long does the Coaching process last?

The length of the Coaching process depends on the objective and the personal effort of the client. Nevertheless, it is not a question of an indefinite process.

What are the characteristics of the Coaching process?

1. Sure: The client keeps control of the process. The Coach is at his service and at the service of his objectives. The essence itself of Coaching is that the client retains all his freedom of action.
2. Powerful: The rhythm of the sessions leads to action. The more seriously the client takes the process, the more he advances. The client enjoys intensely all the little victories over inertia or adversity.
3. Economic: Coaching is not evaluated in function of its cost but what it allows you to attain. Aim high and attain the summits of performance or the joie de vivre. Your coaching does not cost more to accompany you towards ambitious objectives rather that helping you to make modest progress. 99% of the clients consulted on the value of their Coaching say that the expenditure was justified.

What type of person engages a Coach?

People who wish to develop and/or change specific aspects of their behavior and/or personal or professional aptitudes in order to improve their personal relationships or their professional efficiency.

What is the appropriate moment to engage a Coach?

Any moment is appropriate. The individual observation of the need for change and the willpower to affect it are the only factors necessary to start a Coaching process.

Can the results of Coaching be guaranteed?

The results obtained thanks to Coaching depend on the will and the effort that each client dedicates in order to realize the actions that he himself decided to accomplish between the sessions. The responsibility of the Coach consists of accompanying the client to facilitate the realization of his objectives and ensure that the Coaching process takes place well within the framework of the ethical code of the International Coach Federation.

Can I engage a Coach for a short time or for a specific project?

Yes. Some clients engage a Coach to help them manage to realize their specific objectives or short term projects. In any case, the Coaching process is not a lengthy process.