FAQs

What is coaching? Are you going to coach my son’s soccer team?

Unless your son is David Beckham, I’m probably going to stay off the soccer field.

Coaching is about helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential. It’s about shifting perspective, creating more impact, finding more fulfillment, and feeling more alive. Coaching involves sharing, listening, goal-setting, and accountability.

“Co-active coaching” is a special kind of coaching that I practice. It is about the coach and client being equal “co-active” partners, and it begins with both coach and client designing a customized partnership. The coach is not an expert and the coach is not always right. In fact, the client always sets the agenda and the coach holds the safe, trusted space that creates deep learning. The coach champions and challenges the client in the journey that they both embark upon together.

How is a coach different from a therapist or consultant?

This is a very common question. While there are many similarities, coaches are quite different from both therapists and consultants. I’m a big fan of therapists and I am also a consultant, so I am not knocking either of these professions. They both provide tremendous value and play an important role in an individual and/or organization’s development.

While a therapist often analyzes past life events to help us understand what is going on with ourselves today, coaches start with where the individual is right in this very moment and then focuses on the future.

While consultants are expected to be experts in particular areas and are often hired to devise plans and strategies based on their own experiences and best practices, a coach does not need to be an expert in any particular area other than coaching. A coach can work with scientists and does not need to know anything about science. In fact, coaches are not expected to have the answers or such specific knowledge; they should be adept at asking the powerful questions that deepens the clients learning and forwards their action.

Who can benefit from coaching?

Anyone committed to their own personal and professional development can benefit from coaching. An individual’s position, title, or seniority does not matter. However, the individual has to desire coaching and be open to it for it to be effective, otherwise any coaching that is forced will be met with resistance.

In what ways can an organization use coaching?

Organizations can hire a coach to work one-on-one with staff in private, confidential sessions: 1) to develop leadership of key staff members, 2) begin succession planning, 3) to provide support and accountability during organizational change, 4) increase capacity of staff and volunteers, and 5) ensure that resources are aligned with mission and values.

Organizations can also work with coaches to strengthen the critical relationships that exist between key partnerships such as 1) the executive director and board chair, 2) all the members of the board, 3) senior staff, ans 4) external stakeholders and staff.

Do you only work with those in the non-profit or public sectors?

I will work with almost anyone who is interested in their own personal development and who desires to make a positive impact in the world. Of course, both Hitler and Stalin were both dedicated to their own development and were passionate about impacting the world, but I would not want them as clients. Although they probably could have used some coaching.

How long is a typical coaching relationship?

I request that you commit to at least three months of coaching, which is approximately six sessions, in order to make a good amount of progress towards your initial goals. Like with most things, consistent integration of coaching into your life grants you the most long-term value.

Will the coaching sessions take place in person or on the phone?

Most of my coaching occurs over the phone. If you live within reasonable driving distance from me in Los Angeles, we can arrange for our initial meeting to be in person. Subsequent coaching sessions can be conducted in person from time to time, if so desired, depending on distance and schedule.