Executive Coaching Frequently Asked Questions

What is coaching?

The purpose of the coaching relationship is to support you (the coachee or client) to achieve your goals. Coaching is a non-therapeutic intervention intended for coachees who wish to enhance their performance or improve their work or personal situation. 

What happens in a coaching session?

A good starting point is to think of the coaching session as a conversation. We’ll start with a brief introduction to get to know each other. From there I’ll outline the basics of confidentiality, what you can expect and ask you about your experience of coaching, your expectations and whether there is anything specific you want to address in the session. I will take only limited notes and only with your permission. It’s my experience that we normally find a natural rhythm and the conversation will flow. I’ll ask questions and create the space for you to explore your thoughts and typically we identify the key needs and focus areas from there. Sometimes I may ask if you’re willing to use a tool or technique like a written activity or visualisation if I feel this could help you. We’ll work at your pace. Where appropriate we’ll agree actions you can take to support your development, and in the next session we’ll check in on your progress. Our sessions can flow from one to the next, focusing on a common topic or working on your plan, or if needed we can focus on a particular thing that is important to you on the day.

How can I get the best from coaching?

What a great question! You’ll get the most out of coaching if you approach your sessions with a growth mindset and are open to exploration and development. It can be helpful to consider topics for discussion and where material would be of benefit to the session, provide it to me before the scheduled time. Ahead of a session give some thought to what your goals are and be as transparent as you’re comfortable being as that will help me support you to achieve them.

What’s your coaching approach/style?

I work with a solutions-focused and explorative approach, meaning that the coaching will be guided and informed by your goals and follow the subjects, themes and needs that you bring to the sessions. The explorative nature of this provides the opportunity and space to address emerging needs or respond to situations, challenges and opportunities as they arise.

Coaching is a collaborative relationship that benefits from open dialogue and feedback. I commit to regularly check-in with you to ensure a constructive, supportive and comfortable program of growth.

And finally, I am very laid back, friendly and open-minded. I want you to feel comfortable to be yourself - laugh, cry, swear, get angry - the coaching is a safe space to explore how you feel, what you want and help you find a way to address those things that you need support on. I may sometimes challenge you with questions or invite you to think differently, but as we build a rapport we should find a comfortable relationship that you can be authentic and confident in.

What do I do if the coaching doesn’t feel right or I have doubts?

As a coach I am there to serve you so do feel free to provide feedback and discuss any issues, questions or concerns that occur so I can address them quickly.

What are the Coach’s Responsibilities? 

My role is to support you in your development. I will keep anything we discuss confidential, and any notes or data I hold complies with privacy regulations and is also non-identifiable and anonymous to you. It’s my role to manage the coaching process including timekeeping. I pride myself on creating a safe and nurturing space to help you achieve your best. In the event that I cannot help you, I will be transparent and try to suggest someone who can.

What’s a good number of sessions?

There’s no standard answer for this as every coaching need is different. Generally I recommend that we have a minimum of 3 sessions as a starting point, each lasting for 1.5 hours. This time allows us to build a relationship, explore the topics and needs where you want support, develop a plan which we can work towards and then check in and adjust it to help you reach your goals. I find my clients who work with me over 6 months get the best results.

That said,  sometimes a coachee just has a particular issue or opportunity that they need help with. In that case, a single session could be enough. I also work with people over the long term, if that suits their needs best. That is often the case for those that have a longer term career ambition. Really the length of our relationship is open and we can explore what feels right and go from there.

Are you trained? Are all Coaches trained? Are Coaches regulated?

No, not all coaches are trained, nor are they regulated unless they choose to be. I think that formal coaching education and ongoing learning and governance are important to ensure the best standards. I have a diploma in Executive Coaching, and undertake regular supervision and professional development. I am accredited by the Academy of Executive Coaching and am a member of the Association for Coaching. I also adhere to the Code of Ethics of the International Coaching Federation.

Can I rescheduling my coaching session?

Coaching sessions can be rescheduled by either the coachee or the coach with 1 day’s notice. I’ll always try and be flexible because I know unexpected things come up.

What happens if I want to stop my coaching?

Either you or I are able to exit the coaching relationship without giving any reason, subject to 2 weeks written notice being given.

What’s your privacy policy / how will you use my data?

We won’t use your data for more than you give us permission for. If registering for an event, we will use your email or mobile number to contact you about that event only. If you give us permission to contact you by opting in to receive communication from us, we will use your data only for sharing our newsletter and relevant event and offer information. Arise will never sell or share your data, and we store it securely and privately.