What
are the benefits of coaching?
In our coaching work we don't do
seminars, workshops or group training. Rather we provide you with safe, confidential
meetings (face-to face, by phone and e-mail) with someone who can help you better manage
the challenges of your life and career.
Some goals can be achieved in a relatively
short time. Others require more in-depth work. Whichever it is, the decision on how to
proceed will be made jointly by you and your coach. Every person is different. You and
your situation are unique and we'll treat you that way.
We are very sensitive to the challenges, as
well as the opportunities, which managers and leaders face. Even at the best of times, it
can become evident to a manager that there are areas of their responsibilities where they
experience difficulty or uncertainty, and where, in circumstances of trust and complete
confidentiality, they would welcome the opportunity of exploring not just the external
factors involved in the situation, but their own performance, abilities, habits,
strategies and possible ‘blind spots.’
Equally, managers and leaders will be aware
of the occasions when simply to have another set of eyes focused on the same problem or
issue they may have been struggling with for some time would be greatly helpful - it can
be deeply reassuring when important decisions are to be made, and action taken, to have
the opportunity of checking it through with the assistance of an objective, external,
experienced - and compassionate! - person.
Self-awareness and lack of defensiveness are
increasingly recognised as fundamentally important qualities in management and leadership,
and the assistance of a coach can be extremely helpful not only in receiving support in
achieving immediate goals, but in developing improved competence at dealing with
subsequent challenges.
What are Terra Nova’s principles
in relation to coaching?
Firstly, this is seen as an adult to
adult process. There will be no manipulation, or imposition of the coach’s agenda.
The focus is wholly on the person, and it is a fundamental principle that the contract is
with the person, not the organisation.
Secondly, the approach is one of
empowerment. It is not a deficit model, or one based on assumptions of inadequacy of the
client’s abilities, or superior knowledge on the part of the coach. Rather, it is
built on improving strengths and finding positive outcomes in the context of a trusting
relationship in which both the client and coach learn. Terra Nova’s coaches have all
occupied senior management or leadership positions, and are cheerfully aware of the
difficulties and mistakes they encountered in their own roles, and of the learning that
was necessary to move forward. Importantly, they also recognise that clients are always
and already in the middle of their lives i.e. the coach starts where the client is, rather
than imposing their own pattern or sequence of priorities.
Thirdly, there is a complete guarantee
of confidentiality. The coach is someone with whom it is possible to be fully open without
being judged, and without anxiety that any matters discussed will be passed on - even
within Terra Nova.
Fourthly, there is a clear recognition
that there is a limitation to ‘techniques.’ Techniques cannot replace the human
heart and creativity in the coaching process.
In summary, what can Terra Nova’s
coaches offer?
Terra Nova’s coaches offer a continuum
of support, ranging from simply being a brainstorming partner to develop potential
solutions to a specific organisational issue, through to working over a longer period to
help develop long-term excellent performance.
Coaches can be a thinking partner, or an
accountability partner; they can serve as a mirror, reflecting back on behaviour patterns
or habits; be a constructive challenger; a friendly and supportive companion during
difficult times of managerial challenge or major change. A coach can surface the
‘undiscussables’ which can cause major communication or strategic difficulties -
or help with specific tasks, such as facilitating 360 degree appraisal.
The coaches also have access to Terra
Nova’s other areas of managerial and organisational expertise, and can arrange for
specific technical, developmental and training services to be provided if such a need
emerges during the contract. |