How I Work With You
My approach is personal yet business-focused; pragmatic yet technically rigorous; empathic yet professional.
It's important to me that everybody involved achieves a positive outcome. I take care and time to understand properly what the situation is and to agree a practical outcome that is realistic and appropriate for the individual and the organisation. This is about individuals developing awareness and more flexible behaviours - not about forcing a personality transplant!
Clear boundaries are essential. The content of all my coaching is confidential. I only engage with people who want to work with me - never with conscripts. I strongly believe that there is nothing 'wrong' with the people I work with. On the contrary, they are experts in what they do - and there are also areas where they wish to develop their awareness, behavioural flexibility and ability to show up more effectively in certain situations.
what can you expect working with me?
for the individual
- Really being listened to in confidence - clarifying realistically what you want to achieve
- Skilled help in understanding different communication styles and where your own personal style fits in
- Working with specific situations where you want to show up more effectively - developing practical strategies for action
- Action planning for trying out new skills
- High-quality useful feedback to help you move forward in a way that's appropriate for you
- Practical interpersonal skills that are directly relevant to your workplace
- A confidential supportive space for reflection - and someone at the end of the phone if things get tough
- Ability to 'lighten up' around communication issues
- Greater self-confidence and self-esteem (i.e. trusting and valuing yourself)
- To feel happier and have some fun along the way...
for the organisation
- Understanding and agreement of the context and reasons for engaging a coach
- Clear outcomes agreed between the coach, coachee and sponsor within the organisation (the coachee's boss, HR, etc.)
- A 'safe pair of hands' to take care of your specialist people development
- A fair and transparent professional transaction
- Increased engagement and recognition from staff of your willingness to invest in your people
overview of the coaching process
The outline below summarises a typical communication coaching package and includes the elements that are usually covered. However, my work is designed to meet individual needs so the content of our work together will be personalised to address the specifics of each client situation.
| Set Up | Agree specific, appropriate and measurable
outcomes for the individual and for the organisational
sponsor Establish coaching contract with the individual and with the organisation - clear boundaries of confidentiality etc. Scope out and agree best way forward |
| Session 1 | Explore current situation and its
consequences for you and for others Consider what is within your control and what is not Balancing task and relationship - both important, different skill sets required Clarify existing communication style and strategy - habitual patterns and responses Explore where existing style works well and where it may not be fully appropriate - what would be preferable? Agree action plan for 'homework' |
| Interim ad hoc telephone and email support | |
| Session 2 | Review and feedback on implementing new
ideas Rapport building skills Understanding different perceptual positions Assumptions and how they influence communication Relating material to real work situations - starting to take new skills back into the workplace Agree action plan for 'homework' |
| Interim ad hoc telephone and email support | |
| Session 3 | Review and feedback on implementing new
ideas Mental maps and the structure of the language we use Developing flexibility according to the situation and who we are communicating with What are the variables we can choose to change according to the requirements of the situation Understanding how values affect how we communicate - developing ways to ensure that what's important to the other person is respected when communicating with them Agree action plan for 'homework' |
| Interim ad hoc telephone and email support | |
| Session 4 | Review and feedback on implementing new
ideas Influencing skills Pacing and leading when dealing with 'difficult' people Managing ongoing communications Ensuring new skills and behaviours continue into the future Plenary review and completion of coaching process Future action plan and commitments |
