Coaching
1. Do I have to commit to a minimum number of sessions?
No! It is up to you to decide how many sessions you need and how frequently, however for coaching to be really effective it is encouraged that you have a minimum of 4-6 sessions and you have them regularly (most individuals have a session once per month).
2. Will anyone else know I am being coached by you?
No, unless you choose to tell them. Coaching is an entirely confidential process unless you choose to tell people you are being coached.
3. How long is coaching session and what should I expect in a coaching session?
A session typically lasts an hour. You will decide what is discussed. A coach is not an expert so will not advise you rather you will be asked questions and it is up to you to come up with your own solutions to your challenges.
4. What happens if I need to cancel a coaching session?
A session is cancellable up to 24 hours before a session after this a cancellation fee may be charged.
5. Do I have to do things in between coaching sessions?
You will only have to do things in between sessions if you have decided this is the right thing for you to do during the session – a coach will never give you homework unless you have specifically created it together!
6. How confidential is the material we discuss in the sessions?
The material is confidential unless you both agree that someone else needs to be informed.
7. Can I get my employer to pay for my sessions?
If you do, this becomes Executive Coaching (see the Executive coaching session).
Executive Coaching
1. Who will pay for the coaching?
Your company will pay for you to be coached.
2. Will I have any choice as to who coaches me?
Typically you are offered a choice of coaches you can then do a “chemistry” session to see who you feel you can work most effectively with.
3. Can I only discuss work matters?
A coach always coaches the whole person therefore, whilst the focus will be on work other issues do come up and will be dealt with in the sessions.
4. Will you tell my employer what we have discussed?
Only with your agreement but the coach will have follow up sessions with your employer but you will agree beforehand what will be discussed in these sessions.
5. What happens if I decide to leave the organisation after having had some coaching with you?
This can and does happen but it is up to the coach to make this clear to your employer before the coaching starts that there is this risk as sometimes it is better for you and your employer to part company if it becomes apparent that you are not going to truly thrive in the organisation.
Lunch & Learns
1. How long is a typical L&L?
It is 45-55 minutes and this includes the talk and time at the end for questions.
2. What equipment do you need to run a L&L?
Very little! A flip chart or a screen and computer for a PowerPoint presentation.
3. How many people can attend a L&L?
As many as you like! The advantage of a L&L is that it can be delivered to a large number of people.
4. How much participation is required by the attendees of the L&L?
It is really up to the audience – questions and participation are encouraged but not compulsory!
5. How do you ensure that the learning “sticks” with the attendees?
As these are “bite-sized” learning sessions the information communicated is in headline form – short, clear, simple and easy to retain.
Workshops/graduate trainee workshops/senior management sessions
1. How long is a typical workshop?
Workshops can last anything from 2/3 hours to a full day.
2. What equipment do you need to run a workshop?
Ideally a flip chart, pen and paper for all the participants and a computer and screen for PowerPoint presentations.
3. How many people can attend a workshop?
In order to ensure the participants get all their need from a workshop, it is better to keep the groups small – no more than 20 people are encouraged.
4. How much participation is required by the attendees of the workshop?
Workshops do require participation from the attendees-this is an in-depth training session where the focus is on everyone attending really getting involved with the material, pulling out the pieces most relevant to them and then coming up with ways to incorporate it into their everyday lives.
5. How do you ensure that the learning “sticks” with the attendees?
Participants are given plenty of opportunities to really experiment with the material and work out how they are going to use and the workshops always end with the creation of some kind of accountability.