Personal Coaching Services

What is coaching? Professional coaching is an ongoing partnership between coach and client, in which the coaching client is helped to achieve fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Through the process of coaching, clients typically deepen their awareness and learning, achieve more effective results more easily and enhance their quality of life. The basic philosophy of coaching is that you can have what you most want in life and be the best you can be (whatever that means to you), without struggle and ‘hard work’. Coaching also works on the principle of synergy; that the energy arising from the coach-client partnership is greater than the individual energy brought by the two individuals alone. Coaching has emerged from a range of fields and derives its philosophy and approaches from a dozen different disciplines, such as sports, business, leadership and management, psychology, creative arts, financial planning and management, human growth and potential movements, interpersonal and communication skills training. Life School recognises that the world of personal coaching may not be well-known, therefore we ensure that our coaches are not only professionally trained, but are members of the International Coach Federation, and as such, uphold rigorous professional and ethical standards.

“Coaching is… "…a safe place for conversations where a person learns to be a more powerful observer of themselves and their relationships and in which they make conscious choices about what is important to them and what they want to do about it." Michael Prince

The Philosophy of Coaching

We also agree with the philosophy of coaching espoused by the International Coach Federation. Namely, that as coaches we honour the client as the expert in their own life and work, and believe that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, our responsibility is to: Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve; Encourage client self-discovery; Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies; and Hold the client responsible and accountable.

“We regard every client as creative, resourceful, and whole — as the expert in their own life.”

Why have a Coach?

Have you ever stopped and thought about your life?

You’re doing okay, you are surrounded by the rewards of your hard work, and yet...

...you find yourself thinking that perhaps more is possible?

This is about recognising that “fulfilment” is more than just being “content”, and about recognising we can always be learning more and doing better.

In practise, coaching clients come to a coach with personal goals, or they want help to determine them. And yet, while the scope of these can be quite diverse, coaching is applicable in all facets of life. For example, coaches work with clients to help them

“Coaching is about supporting clients to discover and reach  their full potential.”

• clarify their personal vision;
• develop their management or leadership skills;
• start a new business or take it to the next level;
• accelerate their careers or enhance their promotional possibilities;
• retain a focus on important quality-of-life goals:
• maintain work/life balance, or;
• improve personal or professional relationships so they are more effective and fulfilling.

Whatever your area of concern we respect you as the expert of your life and look forward to partnering you as you realise your full potential.

We Listen!

We navigate our way from our beds in the morning and back again at night through a sea of words, and yet listening remains a rare and precious gift.

When was the last time somebody really listened to you?

When they didn’t use your words to…

• offer their own reaction, opinion or advice?
• tell you what you should be thinking?
• indulge in their own reminiscence?

When was the last time you were truly heard?

As coaches we believe that the art of listening is chief amongst the tools we bring to each and every one of our clients.

How Coaching works

Each of our coaches has a slightly different way of working, but all offer regular coaching sessions — usually ranging from once per week or fortnight, to once per month. Coaching sessions may be held in person or on the telephone, or in combination, and may last between 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on frequency.

The key is to have a frequency and regularity of meetings that ensures you have continuity with your coaching relationship and sufficient momentum for your learning and the results you’re after.

What happens in a coaching session is up to you and your coach to design. Typically, however, a coaching session
includes:

• a review of results and insights gained since the previous session. One of the ways coaching works is by highlighting and appreciating what is working, and consolidating your learning.
• a discussion centred on the challenges and opportunities before you, as determined by you. You’ll have the chance to talk as the coach listens carefully and generously, asks questions you may not have asked yourself, and, with your permission, shares their own observations and thoughts.
• an agreement on what strategy and actions you will need to take to meet your challenges or to take advantage of your opportunities. The coach will work with you to devise an action plan, and hold you accountable for your commitment to proceed with it.
  

What makes coaching effective?

• One of the key reasons coaching works is the structure of regular, focused sessions which lead to the client’s goals being more consistently visible and in the forefront of their minds. As a result, many of the things which are discussed in a coaching session may be like seeds which sprout days, weeks or months later. We often hear anecdotes from our clients like, “Three days after our session I was out walking the dog and the penny dropped!”
• Secondly, the coaching relationship is just that — a relationship. Coaching sessions are focused and structured, but they are also conversational and enjoyable. In a good coaching relationship, both coach and client look forward to each conversation and clients often report feeling like a lot was accomplished together often in a short space of time, without it feeling hurried.
• Thirdly, there is truth to the old saying “The teacher will appear when the student is ready.” The coach often becomes a personal symbol for the client’s readiness and willingness to learn new approaches, to take action, and to do things a bit differently. As a result, clients often appreciate their coach sharing concepts and models, new language and distinctions, and different perspectives and approaches.
  

Is Coaching for Me?

Given that you have read this far the answer is probably yes... but,
the only way to really know is to try it!

By hiring a coach for 90 days you’ll get a good feel and a sufficient experience of whether coaching is getting the results you expected.

Feel free to contact us, as we are happy to answer any further questions, or to offer you a free, no obligation coaching session.

Click here to find out about the coaches available through Life School.

Contact Details

Jo Marshall
jo.marshall@windingstaircase.com.au
(08) 9293 1181
0414 425 123