Benefits of Coaching
There are many wonderful benefits associated with professional coaching. Did you know individuals who engage in a coaching relationship can expect to experience fresh perspectives on personal challenges and opportunities, enhanced thinking and decision making skills, enhanced interpersonal effectiveness, and increased confidence in carrying out their chosen work and life roles?
Consistent with a commitment to enhancing their personal effectiveness, they can also expect to see appreciable results in the areas of productivity, personal satisfaction with life and work, and the achievement of personally relevant goals.
According to the 2009 ICF Global Coaching Client Study, companies that use or have used professional coaching for business reasons have seen a median return on investment of seven times their initial investment. Individual clients reported a median return on investment of 3.44 times their investment.
Coaching can help with a variety of goal areas. Findings from the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, showed that more than two-fifths (42.6 percent) of respondents who had experienced coaching chose "optimize individual and/or team performance" as their motivation for being coached. This reason ranked highest followed by "expand professional career opportunities" at 38.8 percent and "improve business management strategies" at 36.1 percent. Other more personal motivations like "increase self-esteem/self-confidence" and "manage work/life balance" rated fourth and fifth to round out the top five motivation areas.
For more information on benefits of coaching, you may want to visit the ICF Research Portal to review case studies, industry reports, and more.
Finding a Coach
Individuals interested in finding a professional coach, whether it be an Executive Coach, Life Coach, Career Coach, Organizational Coach, etc., can email us at: icfsforg@gmail.com and one of our board members will respond to you.
Questions to Ask a Prospective Coach
ICF recommends asking the following questions:
1. What is your coaching experience (number of individuals coached, years of experience, types of coaching situations, etc.)?
2. What is your coach-specific training (enrolled in an ICF approved training program, other coach-specific training, etc.)?
3. What is your coaching specialty or areas in which you most often work?
4. What specialized skill or experience do you bring to your coaching?
5. What is your philosophy about coaching?
6. What is your specific process for coaching (how sessions are conducted, frequency, etc.)?
7. What are some coaching success stories (specific examples of individuals who have succeeded as a result of coaching/how the coach has added value)?
