The Coach
The term "coach" or "mentor" is used to describe all types of coaching/mentoring that may be taking place, both inside and outside the work environment.
Coaching is about creating change that helps enhances performance and learning. Coaches emphasise new competencies, learning and goal attainment. In fact, a coach is a personal navigator for the journey of life, focusing on what the clients want. Everything in coaching hinges on listening with the client's agenda in mind.
COMENSA defines coaching as "a professional, collaborative and outcomes-driven method of learning that seeks to develop an individual and raise self-awareness so that he or she might achieve specific goals and perform at a more effective level".
Coaching has been shown to help leaders develop a clearer understanding of their roles and responsibilities. When leaders are more confident about what they need to do, they are better able to motivate employees and mobilise them for action
Why you MUST use a COMENSA Coach
It is becoming increasingly common and acceptable for people to seek the services of a professional coach as they navigate the challenges of their personal and professional lives. The reasons for doing so are varied, and they include:
Developing the competencies that make for professional and personal success;
Being at a crossroad in life and having to make some tough decisions;
Preparation for a new role in their professional or personal lives;
The need to break a pattern of ineffective behaviour and replace it with a more effective way of dealing with life's challenges;
A desire to effect meaningful and sustainable change in one's life.
While many people have had enormous success in their work with their coaches, there are people who have had some less pleasant experiences. Before we part with our hard-earned cash, we need to have a sense that this will be money well spent.
Coaching is a new discipline and it is currently unregulated. This means that there are few barriers to entry and it is easy for someone to print "Coach" business cards and begin selling their services. This is bad for the discipline as it tarnishes the reputation of very good coaches, and it is bad for clients as it puts them at risk of having a bad and even damaging experience of being coached.
The advantages of working with a coach who is a member of COMENSA are:
COMENSA coaches are bound by professional practice and a code of ethics. This will give you peace of mind around your coach's professionalism and credibility, specifically in the South African context. Professionals in all disciplines make a point of becoming members of professional bodies. If a coach is not a member of a professional body you should give them a wide berth.
COMENSA coaches are required to be in Supervision. This means that they regularly meet with their own experienced coach for the purpose of ensuring that they are constantly improving their practice and providing the very best service to their clients;
COMENSA coaches are expected to attend to their continuing professional development by attending training and workshops. The consequence is that over time coaches not only gain experience, they also develop their own range of competencies.
COMENSA coaches participate in and have access to the latest coaching research. As a result, you can expect that they are constantly learning and reviewing their practice.
COMENSA coaches meet regularly with one another to share knowledge and experience, learn from one another and share best practice.
COMENSA coaches are committed to the creation of a profession that is truly appropriate in the South African context, and which is grounded in the South African experience.Having made your choice and settled on a coach it is important to give it your all. As with life so with coaching 'the more you put in, the more you will get out. Be prepared to work and, above all, enjoy the process!
How Does Coaching Work?
When you decide to engage in a coaching relationship with me, I'll send you a welcome packet to fill out and return, and we'll schedule our first session.
This first session is what I call the 'foundation session.' During this one-hour session, we design our coaching master plan for you and decide how to best facilitate your goals and objectives. The inspiration you gain from this session creates a fabulous momentum.
At end of the first session, weÃll also set a day and time for following sessions. From this point forward our sessions are thirty minutes, by phone. You will have the choice of two, three or four sessions per month.
Before each session, you can email or fax me any written work you've completed. I will read through it to prepare for our session.
The incredible strength of coaching is a powerful combination of the energy, inspiration and structure that is the nature of the relationship we forge together. This process builds on the action steps that you complete between our sessions.
ItÃs a challenging process that provides encouragement and facilitates the achievement of your goals. In the end, your own action that is the force that changes your life! Ultimately, you are your own championÖ I am your cheerleader and coach.
What Is Life Coaching?
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." Henry David Thoreau
Life Coaching is a profession that is profoundly different from consulting, mentoring, advice, therapy, or counseling. The coaching process addresses specific personal projects, business successes, general conditions and transitions in the client's personal life, relationships or profession by examining what is going on right now, discovering what your obstacles or challenges might be, and choosing a course of action to make your life be what you want it to be.
Life coaching is a dynamic process of self-discovery. During this process we work towards forward action that empowers you to create a vision of your life where you will accomplish your highest aspirations.
Our partnership will focus on what you want - even if you don't yet know exactly what that is! WeÃll work together to identify your values and goals, and what you need to live a more fulfilled life.
Our ongoing relationship nurtures an atmosphere of support where you can flourish in finding and creating balance, joy and energy in your life. Support and accountability are the forces that keep the momentum going and help your aspirations become reality!
Depending on your goals, you can focus on the big picture or on a specific area. For example, you can:
Improve your life overall: Life Enrichment coaching
Enhance your professional life: Career coaching
Find a lasting relationship: Singles coaching
Improve an existing relationship: Co uples coaching
Improve your health and well-being: Wellness coaching
Declare your independence: Real Life 101? coaching
The possibilities are unlimited, and it's your life to create
Why Choose a Life Coach?
Many clients hire me when they are in a transformational period in their life - when they want to make changes, accomplish goals or create the life they have always wanted.
Having an experienced coach focused on empowering you to create and accomplish the life you desire is a powerful tool in making things happen.
You'll learn to take stock of your life, to figure out where you are and where you want to go.
All too often, we are not able to accomplish things alone because we lose focus and momentum. Sometimes we simply lack a strategy. When you share your goals and dreams with someone who is committed to supporting you and helping you accomplish what you desire, great things happen.
A life coach helps you develop a strategy and creates a non-judgmental space to work from, while keeping the movement forward and creating accountability. We are constantly seeking direction in life - it seems to be hard-wired into our DNA. A life coach keeps you on track and helps you gain clarity.
Through the coaching process, you will strengthen your personal foundation, discover what your needs are, and start manifesting magnificence into your life. When you focus your attention and take deliberate actions, you will meet with outstanding results.
Working with a life coach is a journey into self-exploration and growthÖ itÃs fun and exciting, and you will be inspired to do things you never dreamed you could do. You will find yourself challenged to stretch beyond where you would go alone. You will literally learn to integrate your vision into your lifeÖ your life will change dramatically.
The power is in the commitment you make to yourself. You are the champion of your own life. Create a life you are going to love!