What is coaching?
"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them."
- Carl Rogers
Understanding Peer Coaching
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According to the International Coach Federation (ICF), coaching entails forming a collaborative partnership with clients, engaging in thought-provoking and creative dialogue aimed at empowering them to realize their personal and professional potential. In today's dynamic and intricate world, this approach is particularly significant. Coaches deeply respect clients as the authorities on their own lives and careers, acknowledging their innate creativity, resourcefulness, and wholeness. Building upon this foundation, coaches undertake the following responsibilities:
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Identifying, clarifying, and aligning with the client's aspirations
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Facilitating client self-discovery
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Drawing forth client-generated solutions and strategies
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Holding the client accountable for their actions
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This process facilitates significant improvements in clients' perspectives on both work and life, enhancing their leadership abilities and unlocking their latent potential.
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Peer coaching is a supportive and empowering process where individuals with similar life experiences, challenges, or backgrounds provide guidance, encouragement, and emotional support to one another. Unlike traditional counseling, which is typically conducted by trained professionals, peer coaching involves non-professional individuals sharing their own experiences, insights, and coping strategies to assist others facing similar difficulties. Peer coaches often draw from their own lived experiences to offer empathy, understanding, and practical advice in navigating various personal or interpersonal issues. The relationship between peer coaches and those seeking support is based on mutual respect, trust, and confidentiality.
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What Coaching Involves
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In coaching, clients are seen as experts in their own lives, possessing the creativity, resources, and resilience necessary for growth. The coach's role is to facilitate this growth by:
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Clarifying Goals: Helping clients articulate and align their aspirations with their values and ambitions.
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Self-Discovery: Encouraging clients to explore their strengths, values, and beliefs to unlock their potential.
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Generating Solutions: Guiding clients in developing their own solutions and strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
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Accountability: Holding clients responsible for taking action towards their goals and providing support and encouragement along the way.
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Distinguishing Coaching from Other Support Professions
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While coaching shares similarities with therapy, consulting, mentoring, and training, it has distinct characteristics:
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Therapy: Focuses on healing past wounds and improving emotional well-being, whereas coaching emphasizes action-oriented goal-setting for personal and professional development.
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Consulting: Provides expertise and solutions, while coaching empowers individuals to find their own answers and take ownership of their decisions.
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Mentoring: Involves guidance based on the mentor's experience, whereas coaching fosters self-reliance and self-discovery.
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Training: Follows a structured curriculum set by the trainer, while coaching adapts to the individual's unique needs and goals.
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Athletic Development: Differs from professional coaching in its focus on improving specific skills, whereas coaching centers on holistic growth and goal achievement.
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Core Coaching Competencies
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Coaches adhere to core competencies established by professional standards, including:
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Establishing Trust and Intimacy
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Active Listening and Powerful Questioning
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Creating Awareness and Designing Actions
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Managing Progress and Accountability
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Is Coaching Right for You?
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Coaching can address a wide range of challenges, from personal growth and career advancement to relationship enhancement and wellness. If you're seeking support in clarifying goals, overcoming obstacles, and achieving your full potential, coaching may be a valuable resource on your journey towards success and fulfillment.
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My
Coaching Philosophy
When I am living with my bothness properly, my work is joy, my play is joy. When I am living with my bothness properly, life and death do not concern me: I am prepared for both. "
-Barry Stevens
In my personal philosophy of personal development coaching, I embrace the understanding that none of us are perfect. We each come from diverse backgrounds, with unique values and aspirations, requiring tailored approaches to achieve our dreams. Perfection isn't the objective; rather, it's about continuous growth and progress. I firmly believe that we have the power to cultivate the individuals we aspire to be.
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The core steps I advocate for this journey are as follows:
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Self-Initiative: Any form of development begins with the crucial realization that change is not only necessary but also achievable and desired. Together, we'll navigate through each of these steps, addressing any mental blocks hindering your decision to grow.
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Reach Out: Acknowledging that we can't navigate life's challenges alone, seeking support from an impartial observer can be invaluable. They can help identify unhelpful habits, damaging thought patterns, logical inconsistencies, and mental barriers while envisioning a brighter future.
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Learn: Growth necessitates a willingness to embrace new knowledge and insights. This might involve reading, watching videos, listening to podcasts, tracking daily habits, and engaging with peers.
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Take Action: While knowledge is empowering, it's the action we take that propels us forward. Together, we'll formulate action plans comprising Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goals, accompanied by accountability measures to ensure progress.
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Execution : Implementing practical steps toward realizing your potential involves setting SMART goals, establishing a Daily Method of Operation, tracking progress, and acquiring essential skills. To achieve your dreams, you must become a person of value, and I'll support you in unleashing your potential, leveraging your strengths, overcoming barriers, and putting your talents to work.
You'll not only learn to give back but also to teach and empower others around you.
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Mental & Emotional Connection: Understanding the intricate interplay between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is paramount. Lack of control over these aspects can adversely affect our mental health, social well-being, and physical bodies. We'll work on identifying negative thoughts, emotional triggers, and automatic responses, empowering you to regain control.
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Environmental Analysis: Our overall well-being is significantly influenced by our environment, encompassing various aspects such as work, home, church, school, family, friends, hobbies, and location. Together, we'll assess how your current environment impacts your decisions and explore potential solutions or changes to enhance both mental and physical health.
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In essence, my coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential for growth and transformation. Through personalized support, actionable strategies, and a holistic approach, I aim to guide individuals towards realizing their aspirations and leading fulfilling lives.
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