Coaching is a confidential, collaborative and dynamic process that evolves over a period of time determined by the client’s objectives and progress. A coach and client (individual or a team) meet on a regular basis, in sessions held in person, by phone or on-line, or a combination.
Team coaching usually combines team workshops facilitated by a coach to set common goals and build collaboration, with one-on-one coaching of the individual team members.
A coach’s key tool is focused conversation: asking questions so clients gets information about themselves; offering challenges; brainstorming solutions; listening and reflecting back what the coach observes. Other tools coaches use include assessment instruments, action plans, tracking logs, or guided visualizations that move clients from their heads into their instincts to discover new answers. By broadening the client’s perspective, coaching expands the client’s options.
The coach navigates the conversations to:
-
- Clarify what the client wants in a work or personal context, which may overlap
- Assess the gap between current reality and the client’s goals
- Identify options
- Co-create a plan of action
- Design client accountability
- Celebrate success
- Build ongoing learning from what works and what doesn’t
What coaching is – and what it is not
Coaching is considered a specialized form of consulting, but differs from other consulting, training, or advisory roles because it is customized and comprehensive, with a dual focus on both action and learning. 
Coaching is an ongoing structure for commitment and accountability – supporting the client to use new skills and take action.
Training followed by coaching is four times more effective than training alone.1
Coaching is not therapy. If unresolved emotional issues consistently undermine success, it may be appropriate for the client to see a therapist.
A coach’s support differs from that of colleagues, family and friends because the coach is an objective trained partner whose only agenda is the client’s.
Joyce’s approach to coaching is straightforward and practical. You’ll discover new ways to look at situations and interactions; access inner resources and external tools; and learn skills to enrich your work and personal life. Together we get you there.
The focus stays on the results you want. Your coaching program is customized for you.
At the heart of my approach is alignment of the personal and professional. Coaching individuals and teams through choices or new challenges, with a dual focus on action and learning, it is about both the journey and the destination.
Coaching brings new perspectives
You’ll become aware of the lenses through which you see your circumstances and relationships – you’ll notice whether you are wearing dark sunglasses or rose coloured glasses. A lens has the power to shape “reality”. You can choose to look through a different lens – like putting on different eyeglasses.
People are multi-dimensional
We are all multi-faceted and multi-skilled. Through coaching, you will see the many aspects of yourself and design who you want to be by choosing which aspects to bring forward. I support your desire to succeed at work and to keep room for your passions (from family to marathons or writing a book).
A kaleidoscope of coaching skills
With a unique blend of skills, expertise and creativity gained as a lawyer, manager, facilitator, coach and poet, I customize each coaching program; and am attuned to individual learning preferences and communication styles.
Helping you set goals by listening for more than your words; I’ll hold your goals, revisiting them with you as makes sense.
I’ll actively offer ideas, options, questions and challenges. You have ultimate control of the agenda.
You will take from our sessions what you need, as we co-create your custom outcomes.
Results in Action
This holistic approach generates options, focuses on incisive choices, and accelerates committed follow-through so you can achieve custom-made sustainable results – your unique definitions of “success” and “work-life balance”.
Together we will identify and plan your success. Results materialize when you take action.
1Transformational Coaching by Dr. Joseph Umidi. At page 82 Dr. Umidi cites two studies that found following up formal training with a coaching relationship had “dramatic effects”. In one, executive coaching increased performance four times as much as training alone. “In other words, tying training back into a life-context (instead of offering stand-alone training divorced from life) was considerably more effective at producing change.”