Happy May, Everyone! Life is good at the IAC as we move into our new mission and vision. Thanks very much to you for your feedback! We are excited about the robust energy of the forward movement of the organization. I want to welcome our three new Board members: Diane Krause-Stetson, Parker Anderson and Christian Mickelsen. We will include their bios in the next edition. This is the time for YOU to step up and become part of the team that will create the future of the International Association of Coaching – YOUR organization!
Warmly,
Designing Supportive Environments
Book Review by James R. Brady, PhD IRIS – International Research and Inquiry Services
The Coaching Starter Kit:Everything You Need to Know to Launch and Expand Your Coaching Practice
CoachVille.com (W.W. Norton and Company, 2003) Paperback, 348 pages, $40.00
COMMENTS: This is a very practical collection of over 140 general guidelines, forms, or lists of suggestions for designing and managing a successful coaching practice. The material is provided by the late Thomas Leonard and other members of the CoachVille community. (http://www.coachville.com/). The book is broken down into 1-3 page sections which are formatted for photocopying and use as client handouts or as checklists for the Coach. The Kit targets those who are adding coaching to a health therapy practice, building a coaching practice from scratch, or fine-tuning an ongoing coaching practice. While the last part of the kit (Chapters 9-11) concentrates on providing success advice to the client, many of the materials can also be of benefit to the coach in planning and reviewing their own progress. The Kit includes many useful tips on the substantive aspects of coaching, but it does not claim to be a professional manual on content or to conform to the rules of various professional or certification organizations (such as the American Psychological Association). Readers with questions on licensure or ethical codes are thus asked to: “…contact the appropriate professional organizations, including the International Association of Coaches (IAC).” (Page xv) To sum up, The Coaching Starter Kit should be a cost-effective investment for any coach desiring to continuously review and upgrade their practice.
A caveat on copyrights: While much of the Kit is obviously designed for reproduction and use of the suggestion lists and forms by coaches and their clients, the copyright page contains the following statement: ”For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to Permissions, W. W. Norton and Company, Inc. 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110”.
ABSTRACT:
Part I “Coaching Practice Design 101” (Chapters 1-3) discusses basic coaching principles and reasons for becoming a coach, outlines how to start a successful coaching practice, and provides tips and forms for conducting the first session with a client. One section lists “100 Key Points” to help the coach prepare a presentation, brochure or article on coaching. A one-page quiz (page 17) asks “Should You Be a Coach?” and readers can rate themselves on 15 statements to help them decide if coaching is really the right profession for them.
Part II “Coaching Maintenance” (Chapters 4-6) focuses on providing effective services to the client, establishing a cost-effective practice, and finding the right market niche. Formats or forms are provided for preparing business plans (one-year and five year) and budgets. Checklists are included for coaches interested in using the Internet to offer TeleClasses or start a virtual university.
Part III “Marketing Your Practice” (Chapters 7-8) provides more specifics on preparing and using materials to publicize or advertise your coaching practice through various media (including the Internet). Checklists and forms are also provided for the effective management of conferences, workshops, or trade fair events. The Kit includes five basic suggestions for organizing an effective website and a detailed checklist on using the website to regularly broadcast e-news or e-Tips.
Part IV “For Your Client” (Chapters 9-11) includes numerous worksheets and forms for use by the client in assessing: (1) why they are seeking coaching help, (2) what goals they wish to achieve, and (3) how well they are progressing throughout the coaching relationship. Topics covered include how to (1) assess personal needs and set improvement goals, (2) prepare for coaching, (3) follow-up on agreements made in sessions, and (4) regularly evaluate specific progress being made in the coaching relationship.
How did you discover coaching? I had been teaching at the university level for about 15 years in an interdisciplinary area that has come to known as positive psychology/wellness/applied philosophy and leadership. I decided to leave full-time teaching because I felt a constant pull to live my life "from the inside-out" and that meant that some life changes were needed. As an independent, I starting consulting and giving workshops on leadership, wellness, communications and relationships, but they didn't really feel on track. I was talking with a friend and colleague, and she said, "Roxanne, why don't you become a coach? That's what you do anyway!" I didn't know what coaching was, so I started exploring it, and discovered that she was right—my basic approach to life was very aligned with coaching philosophy and processes. I realized that I naturally incorporated a coaching process into my teaching, and I was already very familiar with life and leadership issues.
What personal growth work did you do to help you become successful as a coach? I began consciously working on my self-growth long before I became a coach. In the mid-80's, I went through a difficult time, and that's when I started looking deeper inside.
I worked with a wonderful Zen teacher for some time, who helped me begin to take responsibility for my path. I read constantly (some might say "ad nauseum"), took retreats and classes with authentic teachers like Stephen Levine, Ram Dass, Cheri Huber and others, and became involved in spirituality in the workplace activities.
But it was through the exploration of the Enneagram that I experienced my greatest transformations. And that continues to this day. I have been fortunate to be involved in extensive study with two extraordinary teachers/authors/researchers in the field, Don Riso and Russ Hudson.
What coach training have you had? Because of my extensive background in working with people one-on-one and in groups through my teaching (and previous experience working in rehabilitation), I decided I wanted to learn more business-oriented models,so I graduated from Corporate Coach U.
I became certified as a Speaking Circle facilitator, and as a Riso-Hudson Enneagram teacher, both of which have greatly influenced my coaching.
Who has coached you? I've enjoyed extended formal coaching relationships with two coaches: Jan Marie Dore coached me in building my business, and Joel Rothaizer was instrumental in coaching me on important personal dynamics. And, I'm fortunate to have a number of phenomenal coaches in my personal/professional circle. We often support one another through informal coaching.
Do you have a coaching specialty/niche? I have 3 coaching niches:
Enneagram coaching — I'm very fortunate to direct the Enneagram Institute of the San Francisco Bay Area, which is an affiliate of the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Institute
Coaching and transformational retreats for midlife women
Executive coaching, primarily with leaders in nonprofit, and other mission-oriented organizations
While I don't consider it a formal niche, I frequently coach "coaches-in-training"
Eliciting Greatness
We are looking for volunteer help in the following areas to build the future of the IAC. If you are interested in volunteering time or talents to any of the positions below, please contact IAC President Barbara Mark Phd via email at barbara@barbaramark.com.
IAC Voice Advertising Manager – Sell and manage advertising for the IAC Voice. Great position! Interaction with coaches, vendors and IAC Voice editorial board. Ensure ad space is filled for two issues of the publication each month.
Membership Benefits – Form strategic alliances with vendors of products and services that are a benefit to IAC membership.
PR & Marketing – Establish strong relationships with media and other coaching professional groups to become the source of choice whenever a coaching question arises and maintain communication with the press through Press Releases and articles about IAC and its programs. Work internally with each group – presenting the IAC “Brand” as a consistent clear message.
Research – Establish a clearinghouse for persons who are researching the coaching industry and develop a bibliography of sources for researchers.
Volunteer Coordinator –Encourage volunteerism in the general membership. Maintain communication with volunteers; answer their questions, coach teams through growth, motivate volunteers to complete tasks in a timely manner.
Membership Chair – The IAC membership often write to us asking basic technical questions or suggestions – it is the task of this position to answer the questions in a timely manner or forward the questions to the correct board member.
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