Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Discovery Call?

An initial conversation between coach and a potential client to determine client’s needs, answer any questions about the coaching process, and if agreeable co-create a statement of work (SOW) that involves objectives, scope of work, deliverables, schedule, fees and payment terms, confidentiality, termination, or renewal.

What is Coaching?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF)defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”. Coaching is an interpersonal process that helps people achieve positive change and growth. By harnessing innate strengths, uncovering intrinsic motivations, and asking empowering, open-ended, curious questions, coaching fosters self-generated insight, vision, and goal clarity and cultivates new learning and accountability.

What are common coaching objectives?

Establish specific, measurable, meaningful, attainable, realistic, time-bound personal or professional goals, help gain personal awareness, assist with decision-making, problem-solving, skill development, habit change, improve interpersonal relationships, resolve conflict, and enhance communication skills, plan, and implement strategy, prepare for a new role, succeed at new role etc. Coaching focuses on here and now and future oriented objectives.

What are the factors that determine if a coachee is ready for coaching?

Person is motivated and ready to grow and change. They are ready for a collaborative partnership to set goals, learn and achieve personal or professional results. Finally, they are willing to commit to a period of time for coaching engagement, and has the budget to do so.

What does establishing agreements in coaching mean?

Refers to the process of creating a clear understanding between coach and the client about coaching relationships and the outcomes that are being sought. Key elements include setting personal or professional goals, identifying frequency of sessions, agreeing on the format of sessions by phone or video conferencing, terms around confidentiality, expectations of client and coach’s role.

What is the difference between coaching versus consulting?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as distinct from therapy, consulting, mentoring, and training, and emphasizes that coaching is a client-driven process. The coach provides guidance, support, and accountability. Coaching doesn’t tell, advise, and consult. Consulting is an expert-driven process and provides expert advice, recommendations, and solutions. Mentoring provides guidance, support and advice and typically focuses on career development. Training is structured and provides individuals knowledge and skills.

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Therapy, unlike coaching focuses on improving mental health, addresses emotional and psychological issues and is often focused on exploring past experiences and emotions.

What are the differences between Team Mentoring and Team Coaching?

In team mentoring, the mentor is the expert and shares their knowledge with the team. In team coaching, the team is the expert. Team coaches work with members of team and leaders to establish teams’ mission, vision, values, strategy, and rules of engagement. Leaders or team members may be coached individually to build and strengthen skills, effectively facilitate team meetings, and foster a speak-up, risk-taking culture, prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and empower and acknowledge each member’s voice.

Who should be involved in the development of a Team Coaching Agreement?

The team coach, all team members, the team leader, and the sponsor organization should be involved in the development of a team coaching agreement.

What are common themes in Executive Coaching?

Developing key executive and managerial skills, enhancing team building and leadership qualities, identifying, and optimizing the use of key strengths, building the competencies of emotional intelligence, reducing burnout and time overwhelm.

What is involved in Psychological Safety Workshops and Trainings?

These workshops and trainings can be customized to meet the specific needs of each team or organization, and can include interactive team building activities, discussions and learning on the following topics:

• What is Psychological Safety,
• What is Not Psychological Safety, Measuring the Presence or Absence of
• Psychological Safety, Trust Building, Effective Communication Skills, Emotional
• and Social Intelligence, Empathy, Perspective Taking, Conflict Resolution,
• Fearless Experimentation, The Science of Failing, The Power of Vulnerability etc.

What are costs for coaching services?

Our firm offers values-based pricing versus hourly fees. We solve business problems which takes time, effort, and expertise that relies on insight, knowledge, and judgment.

What are some articles published about the benefits of coaching?

“Why an executive coach is now a must-have for Ceo’s” by Emma Jacobs

“The coaching ripple effect: The effects of developmental coaching on well being across organizational networks” by Sean O’Connor & Michael Cavanagh

“When You Need a Coach: Blind Spots Are Less Obvious When Things are Going Well” by John Mattone

Please email me at jodie@rocktheboat.biz if you have any additional questions. Thank you!