Coaching

Most people have the capability to dramatically change and improve their lives. It is all a matter of applying ones energies in the areas needed. Coaches can help this process. Like a sports coach, we help individuals achieve goals, work well with a team and do their best. There is no win/lose in our type of coaching, however. Whereas therapists focus on symptom reduction and achievement of normal functioning, coaches take individuals to the next level, calling for lots of action and immediate movement. Coaching is based on what is wanted and possible rather than what bad thing has happened. We work with clients to eliminate problems, not just solve them.

Thomas Leonard, founder of Coach University, brought this profession to the public's eye and helped develop standards, ethics, a training program and a distinct way of life. Coaches work with clients who have a vision of what they want, or want to more fully develop. The client must be ready to take action, be willing and ready for coaching, and work well with a partner. The ideal client tells the truth to the coach, uses the coach as a resource and partner, and seeks results.

Coaching today is delivered by a variety of media. The most popular is by telephone. The convenience of this to the busy professional cannot be overestimated. With prepaid phone cards and other special programs, very affordable calls can be regularly made, even from foreign countries. Email contact is a must in our work with clients. Group coaching of people in a similar situation can be quite powerful, and is easily accomplished by the use of telephone bridges.

Coaches use techniques such as asking insightful questions, offering strategic advice, giving feedback, role-playing and assigning homework and reading. We often use assessment tools to help clients understand themselves more fully and to quickly get to issues needing attention. Coaching improves relationships, provides a structure for approaching challenging professional and personal decisions and helps the client sort out their ideal life.

Do you want to learn more about your personality preferences and how they influence your decisions and affect your relationships?
Could you balance your life better?
Are you frustrated with the professional dilemmas physicians face?
Would solving problems by finding alternatives that meet your treatment or administrative team's expectations be helpful?
Has your career taken a detour?
If you answered "yes" to any question above, then you could benefit from a coaching relationship. Take the coachability questionnaire on the next page to see how "coachable" you are.