What is coaching?

The International Coach Federation describes coaching as follows: Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Coaching is a process of personal and/or professional change and development.

Coaching is forward moving. Coaching is not therapy, which seeks to heal and focuses on the past, or mentoring, which seeks to guide and offers advice.

As your coach my role is to work with you to identify your strengths as well as the things you would like to be different. Coaching offers the opportunity to work out what changes you need to make to achieve your goals as well as identifying how far towards them you already are and what your internal and external resources are.

The foundation of a coaching session is that you know yourself best and therefore have the answers that are right for you.

Coaching is often a moving experience, sometimes profoundly so. It is an opportunity to have your own thoughts and feelings reflected back at you and in doing so hear them anew and understand what it is you really want, rather than what you thought you wanted.

To look intently at yourself and your life is hard work. It requires courage, effort and honesty. It is often inspiring and uplifting and can also sometimes be emotionally tiring. It is always thought provoking.

I believe that a coach who is right for you should create a space that is safe, enlightening and challenging. As your coach I will support you in exploring and finding answers, and ensure that you understand and own the choices that you make.

The outcome will be progression that is real and works powerfully for you.