Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. A professional coaching relationship exists when coaching includes a business contract that defines the responsibilities of each party. (Source: International Coach Federation Code of Ethics, 2009)

You meet with Lisa, by phone, in person, or by e-mail, on a regular basis to discuss what matters to you. You review what is working, what needs changing, where a new perspective might be useful, what your resources are, and what your action challenges will be. You will experiment and celebrate successes!

Your group meets on a regular schedule, in person or by phone, to discuss specific topics within a particular theme. Each session includes an assignment to help participants build momentum toward goals. Teleconferencing makes this a convenient opportunity for people with similar interests.

The client utilizes the coaching process to think with fresh perspective, plan forward-moving actions, and take steps toward his goals. The client creates the coaching agenda. Coaching is effective when the client envisions personal success and assumes full responsibility for decisions and actions.

A consultant is generally hired to diagnose problems, prescribe solutions, and produce certain outcomes. A coach works under the assumption that a client is capable of generating her own best solutions. A coach supplies the client with supportive discovery-based frameworks.

A therapist helps a client work toward healing and/or issue resolution. A coach works with a client who is ready to pursue specific actionable outcomes. The emphasis in a coaching relationship is on action, accountability, and follow-through. Coaching does not focus on pathology. Coaching is more closely aligned with apithology: the study of wellness, its development, and its consequences.

Evidence based coaching links theories and research from the behavioral sciences, such as psychology, with coaching best practice. It is supported by methodical clinical and industry research and evaluation. Evidence based coaching replaces unproven belief based approaches, which often rely upon novice reasoning, with techniques that are more powerful, more accurate, more efficacious, and safer. The client receives valid assessment and informed program planning.

The coaching employs astute listening, provocative questions, and encouragement to draw out the client's innate creativity and resourcefulness with respect to her aspirations. The coach provides observations that help the client increase her awareness, challenge her blind spots, and expand her possibility-thinking. During this process, the coach champions the client's opportunities and potential. Finally, the coach keeps professional boundaries, maintains confidentiality, and adheres to the coaching profession's code of ethics.

The length of a coaching partnership varies by the client's needs and preferences. Three to six months is typical. Some clients find it beneficial to continue with periodic sessions as needed or to return to regular coaching when new situations arise. The momentum that builds during coaching can be powerful. Factors that might impact the length of time include: the types of goals, the way the client likes to work, the frequency of coaching meetings, and financial resources available to support coaching.

Coaching typically begins with a sample session (in person or by phone) to assess the client's current opportunities and challenges. When a coach and a client decide to work together they define the scope of the coaching relationship, identify priorities for action, establish specific desired outcomes, and set a schedule for regular sessions. Subsequent sessions are usually 30 to 50 minutes long. The client choose the focus of each session according to his personally prioritized goals. The coach contributes observations and questions. The coach might offer concepts and tools which can facilitate the client's process. The client might be asked to complete certain actions between sessions.

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