How Does a Coaching Session Work and
What Outcomes Can I Expect?
Life coaching or executive coaching sessions: are typically conducted over an agreed period of time by both the client and the life or executive coach and the length and duration depend on the nature of the goals to be achieved.
A typical life or executive coaching cycle is about 10 to 12 sessions in duration and is held or conducted either once a week or once every two weeks to ensure continuity and to maintain interest and involvement of the coachee/s; again, this timeline is agreed upon by both the life or executive coach and/or company and the coachee or client.
Sessions can be anything from 20 minutes to one hour for individual sessions and up to 1.5 hours for an executive session and up to two hours for couple sessions. Session and rates are charged and agreed on with the client accordingly and before coaching commences.
Executive coaching sessions: are agreed with and determined by the coach’s mandate with the relevant company he or she is contracted to and the company usually pays the coach directly for those sessions. Time frames and outcomes are discussed and agreed upon by both the company as well as the individual, groups or teams concerned.
A typical life or executive coaching follows the goals that the client/s wish to achieve. It’s up the coach to unlock the hidden and not-yet-reaslised potential of the coachee by using a set of ethical coaching criteria, effective discussion and appropriate questioning skills.
The life or executive coach also has to ensure that the goal is the ‘right’ goal for the client whilst ensuring that the client or coachees’ commitment is in place and that he/she is ready to take full responsibility to achieve the set-out goals.
A typical life or executive coaching session will require some serious action from the client or coachee and the coach may also encourage the client to choose some assignments to complete before the next session. These are chosen by the client and a time frame to complete these, is agreed upon.
The next session date will also be set and email or telephonic support may or may not be offered by the coach, should this be a requirement or necessary in certain coaching circumstances.
The outcomes of a typical life or executive coaching session are:
- Excitement of the client to achieve and to take control of their destinies!
- Greater clarity and focus of what’s important and therefore where their focus should be.
- Greater confidence to tackle difficult tasks or matters.
- Better overall communication.
- Improved relationships, both on a personal and professional level.
- Getting things done!
- Being organised and thus more efficient overall.
- Being more assertive in a direct and positive way.
- Seeing more clearly and therefore being able to make better decisions.
- Being more equipped with an appropriate set of tools to overcome challenges.
- Being more powerful.
- Being more in control and relaxed.
- Mastering the art of your life!
If you are uncertain about the coach you will be working with, then use some of these tips to gain greater clarity before you embark or agree upon any rates or agreed coaching sessions and times. Tips/hints that will assist you in choosing a good life coach or executive coach:
- Check that your life and/or executive coach is qualified through a reputable coaching body or organisation.
- Ask yourself: ‘is this someone I could or do trust?”
- Request referrals of previous clients and/or testimonials.
- Request to have a chat or relaxed conversation about what life or executive coaching is and how and where the sessions will be conducted.
- Get permission from your coach to ask him/her some personal questions in order to acquaint yourselves.
- Be open-minded, relaxed and enjoy the journey!
