Personal Coaching
What is professional coaching?
Examples of Coaching Conversations:
CONVERSATION #1:
Coachee: The new house is a mess. I’ve got boxes everywhere. I can hardly get from the front door to the bathroom—I’ve got the biggest proposal of my career to finish by Friday. It feels like I’m going to let someone down. Like I have to choose who to disappoint. I know if I don’t help out with moving, I could be living solo soon. My wife did nearly all the packing last month while I was traveling.
Coach: I think I just heard alarms going off.
Coachee: Really?
Coach: Well not literally. But you’re talking very fast and it sounds like you’re out of breath. That’s not your usual tone. I get the sense that you’re packed as tight as some of those boxes.
Coachee: Is it that obvious?
Coach: Like the walls are closing in?
Coachee: That’s what it feels like—and with no way out. Cornered in my relationship and in my work.
Coach: What do you want to do about that?
Coachee: What I’ve been trying to do is step around it, or over it, and that doesn’t seem to be working. I guess it’s time to sit down and work it out.
CONVERSATION #2:
Coachee: I feel like I’ve been going down this road for so long that I’m in a rut.
Coach: The road’s a good image, let’s work with that. Imagine there’s a fence running along this road, and there’s a gate in the fence. What’s the gate?
Coachee: It’s the road not taken.
Coach: Where does that road lead? If you were going to make something up, what would that be?
Coachee: Actually it reminds me of my grandparents' home in Connecticut.
Coach: What does that gate mean to you in your own life?
Coachee: That gates’ always been there—and I’ve always walked past because I thought I wanted to be independent and have fun. This could be the time for me to take a serious look at what it would be like to create my own sense of security.
Coach: What kind of help do you want in making some decisions?
*From Co-Active Coaching 4ed., Kimsey-House et al, 2018
break down barriers to growth
Illuminate previously unexplored options
Expand your perspective
Address your current understandings both clear and unclear
Uncover underlying motivation or resistance
Create realistic and actionable next steps
Create a container for accountability
Many of us have a tendency to make decisions from vague or incomplete thoughts and unresolved feelings. Coaching helps create greater clarity. There is a pressure to state the problem, evaluate the options, choose a solution and move on as rapidly as possible. That pressure creates a decision making habit which prevents constructive consideration or reflective learning.
*From Co-Active Coaching 4ed., Kimsey-House et al, 2018
About your Coach
I’m Kelli Sue Buxton and I’m currently in an ICF Accredited Coaching Course and need 100 hours of practical coaching to receive accreditation. When you click the link BELOW to schedule, all coaching fees are waived. All personal information will be protected according to legal guidelines. You can schedule a virtual introductory session via web meeting or request a phone meeting. Once your appointment is scheduled, I will email to connect with you.