IOD Coaching

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FREE COACHING SESSION!

IOD offers a free 45-minute coaching session to all interested parties!  Please call us to schedule yours today!  When you call, we will spend 10-15 minutes getting to know you better and then we will schedule your confidential coaching session.

Call us today at 719.761.5226!

Skype coaching now available!

What is Coaching?

At InsideOut Discovery, Inc. (IOD) we believe that coaching is a distinct and separate role that is performed, and that this role is set apart from other roles such as consulting (instructing), mentoring and managing because of its concentrated focus on the Person Being Coached (PBC).  

The return on investment for coaching can be nearly SIX TIMES the original investment!

There are many types of coaching; executive and business coaching, life coaching, career coaching, performance coaching, etc.  Each of these types of coaching are aimed at closing a gap; whether that gap is in acuity, expertise, performance or proficiency.  Skillful coaches are well trained and use a coaching model and specific coaching skills to be effective.  This kind of coaching is a collaborative process and is different from sports coaching.  Coaching is not therapy, nor should it be used a replacement for therapy.

For more information on coaching and other roles, please refer to our book, Coaching for Commitment: Achieving Superior Performance from Individuals and Teams (Third Edition), Coe, Zehnder, Kinlaw (John Wiley & Sons, 2007).

Definitions of Coaching

The following excerpt, taken from Chapter One of Coaching for Commitment (Ed. 3) will help you to understand more about what coaching is from the coach perspective:

Coaching is all about the Person Being Coached (PBC)!

Successful coaching is a conversation of self-discovery that follows a logical process and leads to superior performance, commitment to sustained growth, and positive relationships

...All successful coaching conversations are pointed toward improving performance and ensuring a commitment to sustained superior performance and growth.  These results can only be achieved through self-discovery on the part of the person being coached (PBC).  Another outcome of successful coaching is the strengthening or improvement of positive relationships.  One fundamental assumption of this book is that coaching can and should happen with top performers as often as under-performers...

According to the International Coach Federation (ICF) www.coachfederation.org:

Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.  

Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives.  Coaches help people improve their performances and enhance the quality of their lives.

Coaches are trained to listen, to observe and to customize their approach to individual client needs.  They seek to elicit solutions and strategies from the client; they believe the client is naturally creative and resourceful.  The coach's job is to provide support to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that the client already has.

How do I choose a Coach?

Coaching is a very individualized process, so finding a coach who is the right fit for you is important!  First, look for coaches who have had formal coach training, preferably from a coaching school accredited by the ICF such as Corporate Coach University International (CCUI) www.ccui.com or Coaches Training Institute (CTI) www.thecoaches.com.  You can find a list of accredited schools on the ICF website www.coachfederation.org.  Formal training is defined as a significant number of course and practicum hours, not just a few days of concentrated training.  Some coaches go on to obtain certification after schooling.  Second, look for a coach who is a member of the ICF or another reputable or internationally recognized coaching organization such as the International Association of Coaches (IAC) or Coachville.  Membership in such an organization indicates that the coach has agreed to abide by a specific coaching code of ethics which protects both you and the coach!  Third, before deciding on a coach, interview and have a coaching session with at least three different coaches.  Most legitimate coaching professionals offer a free introductory coaching session.

How do I know if Coaching is right for me?

Great question!  In order to be coached, one must be coachable.  Being coachable is an InsideOut process which means that you are open to exploration of self and the perceptions of others.  It means that you are ready and willing to move forward toward a vision or goal by taking action.  It can also mean thinking and seeing and doing things differently than you have before.  Coaching allows you to reach your ideal state by identifying the current reality and overcoming obstacles to progress.  It requires action, perseverance, a positive attitude and often the adoption of new behaviors.  The following are just a few coaching topics that clients have come to us with:   

• I want to be a better leader
• I want to be seen as high potential for promotions
• I am an executive who needs a sounding board to make key corporate decisions
• I want to improve my influenceing and coaching skills
• I need to coach up and I'm not sure how
• I want to be a better strategic partner
• I want to be a better coach to my team
• I want to make/exceed my sales goals for next year
• I want to figure out my next career move
• I want my company to grow by 50% in the next 2 years
• I want to figure out what new markets to tap into
• I want to know how stakeholders and employees see me so that I can close any gaps 
• I want to prevent burnout so that I can continue to be successful at my job

FREE COACHING SESSION!

IOD offers a free 45-minute coaching session to all interested parties!  Please call us to schedule yours today!  When you call, we will spend 10-15 minutes getting to know you better and then we will schedule your confidential coaching session.

Call us today at 719.761.5226!