1. People are naturally creative, resourceful and whole.

Seeing people as naturally creative, resourceful and whole is a way of relating to others from a mindset that is full of possibilities, and, lacking in judgement. My job as a coach is to consistently see others through this lens and engage with them accordingly. This perspective as a coach endorses the concept that all people are completely capable of finding their own answers to whatever challenges they face.

 

2. Building awareness and responsibility is the essence of good coaching.

A key element of coaching is raising awareness, which is the product of focused attention, concentration and clarity. Awareness is knowing what is happening around you. Self-Awareness is knowing what you are experiencing. High awareness is vital for high performance. Higher than normal focused attention leads to higher than normal performance. Another word that characterizes awareness is feedback – feedback from the environment, feedback from your own body, feedback from your speaking, the conversations that you are having, and the actions you are taking. How well are you listening to the listening?

 

Responsibility is also crucial for high performance. When we are truly responsible for our actions and our experience, our commitment increases and so does our performance. Being responsible requires choice. Awareness and responsibility are two qualities that are crucial to performance in any activity.

 

3. The essence of coaching is to support leaders to work through challenges, so that they transform their learning into results … for themselves and their organizations.

As a coach, I must approach my client’s situation with the rigour and curiosity of a journalist or an anthropologist to the client’s situation. This means that I may, from time to time, share conceptual frameworks and metaphors; encourage clarity in the way that clients organize their thinking, speaking, planning and expectations; challenge them to continually expand their learning edge and reach beyond their current level of competence; and work with the client to build their capacity to handle difficult situations.

 

4. The products of coaching are sustained excellent performance; self-correction and self-generation.

This means that the client meets the high standards of the discipline in which the coaching is taking place. Well-coached clients have the ability to observe when they are performing well and when they are not, and will make any necessary adjustments independent of the coach. We can always improve. Well-coached people know this and will continually find ways to do this on their own.

 

I am committed to supporting my clients to become their own trusted coach.