Does Coaching Work?
By: Wendy Maletta
Millions of individuals and companies around the world hire professional coaches to provide them with objectivity and support in improving their careers, businesses and lives. But how does coaching work, and why should you consider hiring a coach?
Coaching is a relationship between a trained professional coach and an individual who is seeking fulfillment, balance and/or impactful change. The client is accountable for taking the steps to move forward, and the coach is their guide and champion. A professional coach does not provide advice, therapy, counseling or consulting, although often coaches are also trained experts in these other fields and the alliance with the client can incorporate other specialty services at the client’s request.
When you think you might want to hire a coach, it’s important to first know what your objective for working with a coach is. Do you want a coach to help you reduce stress, communicate more effectively, be a better boss or employee? Knowing in advance what your needs and expectations are will help you select a coach.
A great time to hire a coach is when you know you need to live a healthier lifestyle, and have struggled with weight, fatigue or other health issues. Laura Crooks is a Registered Nurse who left traditional patient care nursing three years ago and became a Certified Wellness Coach. “Permanent weight loss starts in your mind, not in your mouth”, says Laura. “My philosophy is that the leg bone really is connected to the hip bone: your stress, sleep, happiness, energy levels, mood, weight, values, eating and exercise are all interrelated.”
Rising or successful business people frequently hire coaches to improve their effectiveness. Dr. Janice Sabatine is an executive coach who specializes in coaching women in science and medicine. “When you utilize coaching to focus on behavioral change, you improve workplace effectiveness and become a stronger and more effective leader,” says Dr. Sabatine.
One of the most frequent reasons that people hire a coach is because they feel stuck, stressed out or unfulfilled. Lou Daddea spent the first 12 years of his life in IT, then discovered his true calling and is now a personal development and spiritual coach. “Coaching helps clients become aware of how they see the world and how that manifests their current circumstances in life.”
Once you think you’d benefit from having a coach and know your objective, it’s important that you find the right one for you. A great local place to start is the Pittsburgh Coaches Association (PCA) (www.pittsburghcoaches.org), a 501(c)6 non-profit membership organization that advocates and supports Professional Coaching. Their website includes a find a coach section that allows you to search for local coaches alphabetically by name, as well as by specialty. Specialty categories include career, retirement, marketing, leadership, life, parenting and many more.
It’s also a great idea to meet several coaches and “test” one or two out with an introductory session before signing an agreement. Most coaches will agree to an abbreviated complementary session for potential new clients. You can meet many local coaches at the PCA’s monthly lunch and learn meetings, as well as at seasonal networking functions hosted by the organization. Their November 9th event, “Coaching Works” is an opportunity to see coaching demonstrations, receive free coaching from PCA member coaches and meet and network with coaches and other attendees. Information on this event is available at www.pittsburghcoaches.org/coachingworks .
Coaches help their clients see things a different way, discover solutions, reach goals and find fulfillment. Coaching is like unlocking a door with a key that you didn’t know you had in your pocket. The question isn’t “Does Coaching Work?”, but rather “How can coaching work for me?”
Wendy Maletta is a Marketing and Professional Image Coach and Consultant and owner of Ahhluminating Coaching & Consulting. She has ahh’ed the business community for more than 20 years as a Non-Profit leader, entrepreneur, speaker and marketing professional. Wendy is a graduate of Duquesne University and their Professional Coaches Certification Program and is 2012 President Elect of the Pittsburgh Coaches Association.