What is coaching? A coach is someone trained to come alongside people who want to intentionally create their ideal future by taking action in the direction of their dreams. Coaching is a partnership, a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. Sometimes in life we tend to drift along with the currents, going the way of least resistance and choosing options safely within our comfort zones. During scheduled conversations a coach asks powerful questions, listens deeply, points out things you may not see and helps you sort through the clutter so you can gain the clarity you need to move forward one step at a time. As a coach I guide people to discover their unique strengths and passions and invest those in work and service they care about. What are the benefits of coaching? Coaching allows you to clarify your desires and dreams and maximize your potential. A coach reflects back to you what he/she hears you saying and makes observations from an objective and caring point of view. A coach encourages you to keep moving toward your dreams and goals and celebrates every victory with you. A coach helps uncover misconceptions and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck in unfulfilling roles or patterns. How does coaching differ from consulting or counseling? Whereas consultants and counselors tend to be experts whose knowledge and skills you depend on for answers, a coach is someone who is skilled at helping you discover your own answers. Coaching is for people who are emotionally healthy, functioning effectively and who have a strong desire to maximize their potential and achieve their dreams. Do you coach individuals or groups? I reserve a limited amount of time to coach individuals who are serious about pursuing their dreams, committed to doing the work necessary to keep moving forward, and willing to invest financially in themselves and their future. I am not a therapist or counselor and if that is what I believe someone needs before they are ready to be coached, then I will recommend that. I especially enjoy working with groups because I have seen the power of community to give people courage to move forward, and the amazing insights gained from conversations in a safe and supportive environment with people who are on a similar journey. How do I know if I’m ready for a coach? You may be ready for a coach if your answer is yes to these questions: • Is there a gap between my desires and reality, between my hopes and dreams? • Do I feel “stuck” in one or more areas of my life? • Am I facing or in the midst of a major life transition? • Do I believe I have untapped potential? • Do I lack clarity and focus regarding my future? • Am I willing to invest in myself and my future financially? • Am I willing to do the hard work necessary to achieve my dreams? What are your fees? I negotiate fees with individuals and groups based on the number of sessions and length of sessions they prefer. My fees are not hourly rates. They reflect the time I have invested and the skills I have developed to coach people to break through whatever is holding them back and move toward their dreams. Coaching is an investment in yourself and in your future. Typical monthly coaching fees range from $300-600 for individual coaching and less for group coaching. How does group coaching work? Interested persons can choose either a group teleconference or a face-to-face group (insert link to upcoming workshops) if they live in the Knoxville area. What is a group coaching teleconference? A group coaching teleconference is a conference call with fellow participants from many different locations. From anywhere with telephone access, you can participate in these classes by simply placing a phone call to a specific number at a given time. You’ll be connected to a virtual classroom of fellow participants (your long distance carrier will charge you for the call). Teleconferences can be scheduled weekly to monthly, depending on the needs of the participants. What is your coaching specialty? I coach from a strengths perspective and am passionate about helping people discover their unique pattern of strengths and passions and encouraging them to pursue work and service that is fruitful and fulfilling How does a person get started? I recommend that persons interested in being coached interview three coaches. Find out their credentials and make sure they have coach training and experience. Ask for a sample coaching session and pay attention to how well you connect. Every coach has their own unique style, and you want to be sure that you are comfortable with the style of the coach you choose and could quickly build a trusting relationship. The following websites can help you find a coach: www.coachfederation.org The International Coach Federation maintains a referral service for their members. You can find information on coaches for just about any need and with any particular background. www.valwoodcoaching.com A collection of Christian coaches who have been selected to be mentor coach students of Valwood coach training courses at Hollifield Leadership Center in Conover, North Carolina. www.christiancoaches.com A collection of Christian coaches who are a part of Judy Santos’s network. www.easttncoachesassoc.org A learning community of coaches with a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties who live in the east Tennessee area.