The International Coach Federation (ICF) www.coachfederation.org defines
professional coaching as a series of interactions between coach and client that
helps clients produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers,
businesses, and organizations.
It is an ongoing professional relationship between coach and
client that includes questioning, observation, and feedback. In each meeting, the client chooses the focus
of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and
questions. Coaching concentrates on creating
clarity in the client’s goals and aspirations; and providing greater focus and
awareness of choice. Through coaching,
clients deepen their self-awareness, improve their performance, and enhance
their quality of life.
See the ICF Ethical Guidelines that all members are committed to uphold at the above website under "current members".
What's unique about Customized Coaching?
Walter supports people on the move who are pursuing a life dream...such as a next career, a new venture or a new way of living. Do you know how a midwife comes alongside expecting mothers for a healthy birth? Well, that's what Walter does...offering similar support to people birthing a new project or moving into a new phase of life.
What does the
coaching process normally look like?
Each coaching relationship is customized to honor the
particular passion, goals and life purpose of each client. Typically an agreement is reached between the
coach and client for a work period of at least three months, meeting once or
twice a month for 30 minutes or an hour. For convenience, the sessions are carried out
in person or via telephone. The agreement also includes a mutually
determined coaching fee which is paid monthly. The client brings the agenda which is
clarified and focused by the coach’s questions, assessment tools, and feedback. The client retains responsibility for results
that are sought, and typically requests accountability from the coach for actions
to be taken between meetings.
How long does a
coaching relationship usually last?
It depends on the goals of the client and the perceived
effectiveness of the coaching relationship in pursuit of those goals and
dreams. It can serve the client’s needs
at the minimum of three months and also continue as long as two years or more.
How is coaching the
same or different from consulting?
The easiest way to distinguish coaching from consulting is
that coaching focuses on asking the right questions, while consulting focuses
on solving problems through providing the right answers. Coaching and consulting can overlap, but they
are not synonymous. Consultants
typically have training and experience in the client’s area of business;
whereas coaches need not have had a background in the client’s business at all.
Is coaching then more
like therapy?
Coaching and therapy are unique professions with different
and unique skill sets. Therapy focuses
on exploring the origins of current personal issues and challenges, often
drawing on the past and trying to better understand the past to resolve current
problems. Coaching, however, begins with
the present and focuses on moving the client forward. It is action oriented and results
focused. Whereas therapy often seeks to
remedy what’s not working, coaching develops possibilities by leveraging the
client’s strengths. Coaching and
therapy can serve as complementary disciplines in the interests of enhancing a
client’s performance and quality of life.
So what is this thing
called “coaching” anyway? 
