What Can You Expect?
Key Elements of Coaching With Mark
1) You have the answers, not me.
Coaching isn't mentoring, therapy, or consulting, although it's related to all of those disciplines. A difference is that in those relationships you're typically seeking answers from an expert. My expertise is in building meaningful coaching relationships, but I'm not an expert on you or your goals, and I don't have answers for you. I have questions, and you’ll ultimately have to determine the answers that are right for you. I’ll provide feedback and advice at times, but I’ll be careful to note when I do, so that you can decide for yourself what to do with that information.
2) You set the agenda. You’ll decide what issues we address, both during the course of our work together and in each individual coaching session. I’ll help you track issues over time and prioritize issues in a given conversation. I’ll raise certain issues at times, drawing upon my experience with other clients, but the agenda is ultimately your responsibility.
3) A coaching relationship is an equal partnership. I'm not an authority figure, nor am I a subordinate. We’ll work together as equal partners in this process and share responsibility for its success. If we ever feel that we’re not acting as partners, we’ll say so.
Characteristics of the Coaching Relationship
1) Confidentiality
I will not disclose your identity as a coaching client, any information that would identify you as a client or any details of our work together without your permission. Note that this is a “one-way street”—I strongly encourage you to tell people you trust that you’re working with a coach and to share what you’re working on. I find that clients who invite colleagues, friends and family into these conversations get more out of the coaching process.
2) Accountability.
You’re ultimately accountable to yourself, not to me, and my role is to help you fulfill any commitments you make to yourself. That said, we also need to honor the commitments we make to each other, starting with an agreement to be on time and ready for each coaching session.
3) Honesty.
While we need to feel a sense of caring and appreciation in our coaching relationship we also need to be honest with each other. I’ll always speak professionally and with respect, but I’ll also strive to be as candid and direct as possible in order to be as helpful as possible.