CoachLois.com :: Personal, Team and Career Coaching and Consulting

Coaching is a delightful, collaborative partnership between coach and client. It's a way for you to predictably obtain support from a wise and knowledgeable facilitator - something that is often lacking in today's communities and workplaces.

In coaching, I don't tell you what to do; rather, I use intuition, insights, and questions as keys to help you understand your present situation and move forward. Sometimes I use standardized inventories and tests, and sometimes I provide you with reflective self-assessment exercises to help you better understand your present situation. I often recommend books that might help.

Coaching can be done in person, on the phone, or through e-mail.

We start by taking a look at your present situation - what's going well, what's not going so well, what are your visions, dreams and goals for where you'd like to be. We take a look at the blocks and barriers that are keeping you stuck and preventing you from getting where you want to go. We work at helping you develop your vision of where you would like to be in various aspects of your life. Then week by week we develop strategies to help you get unstuck and move forward in these areas.

So many people feel like they should be able to solve things on their own. After all, isn't that what popular culture teaches us? But seeking support and direction is not a sign of weakness... it's a sign of strength! It's taking the bull by the horns - and riding it! Besides, it's just a lot more fun to take on challenges with an ally in your corner...

The answer is: anyone who wants to get more and give more in their personal or professional life than they are currently getting and giving.

Typically, the following people hire a coach:

people who want to realize a more desirable life for themselves

people who want to simplify and balance their lives

young people seeking direction in their career and personal lives

professionals who are at a crossroad, roadblock, or transition point in their career

people who are burned out and don't have the energy to move forward on their own

entrepreneurs who need a sounding board as they develop their business

managers and executives wanting to develop stronger teams

professionals, now managers, who need support in dealing with "people issues"

I have worked successfully with people in all of the above situations and many, many others...

I have lots of talent - why am I spinning my wheels?

I want more from life.

I would like to be clearer about where I'm headed in life.

I want to make more money.

I want to find a partner and stick with the relationship.

I want my work to mesh with my life goals and values.

It would help if I was more organized.

I need to stop putting up with what's dragging me down.

I want to do things more easily.

I would like a more balanced life.

I want to have enough resources that I can give some away.

As an external partner who has no investment in your organization or life, I'm free to address challenging issues related to your personal life and your career in a constructive and supportive way. Through the coaching process, I can help to inspire and create positive and realistic change in whatever direction you choose for yourself.

People have varying reasons for seeing a coach, and it is the coach's job to help you define what you'd like to have happen different in your life. Here are some of the things you can experience through coaching:

develop a vision for your future

develop and implement goals based on your own strengths and ideas

receive honest feedback and learn new things about yourself

increase your energy and focus

become more productive and successful at work

balance work and play

increase your self-esteem

learn more about your spiritual self

become successful - as you define success

#1. You're right, you should be skeptical. Lots of people out there hang out their shingle without the proper credentials. Make sure you ask lots of questions of the person you're thinking of hiring as your coach, including:

where did you get your training?

what kind of experience do you have, how many people have you helped?

what has resulted for people when you've coached them?

what is my life going to look like when I'm through working with you?

#2. You're right, coaching doesn't change your life for you. You have be willing to do the work. An effective coach does not tell you what to do: he or she will help you to identify your own goals and then support you and hold you accountable as you work to achieve them.

#3. Why guess? Set up a free 30-minute telephone consultation, and see for yourself! Each month, I set aside some times to talk to people who think they might be interested in coaching. Give me a shout, and find out!