What did people get out of coaching?

It was very encouraging to receive a summary of the thoughts and feelings reported by members of this team after working with me in coaching. I though this could be useful information for anyone wondering what coaching is about, and why people find it so useful and effective.

Question 1.

What were your expectations about coaching prior to having it? 

·       I didn’t have any expectations as such, I think I was more curious as heard people in the team say how helpful they had found it. I also did not think coaching was for me.

·       I had a family friend who was an executive management consultant, so I was aware of coaching as an approach.

·       I knew it was something that focused on you as an individual and was useful for personal development.

·       I’d had it before and found it very helpful, so I was excited to be getting the opportunity to have it again when I felt I really needed it.

·       I wasn’t really sure, I was intrigued, I saw someone on a tv program I watch having coaching and that made it feel more comfortable.

·       I liked that coaching would be specific to me and what matters to me, looking at my life as a whole.

 Question 2.

How did you feel during and after your coaching session?

 ·       During the sessions I felt safe, able to be honest without judgement and able to talk freely. I’d say I felt different after the coaching session and felt good. I either felt like my mind was in the ‘flow’ and was very freeing and/or felt empowered to take action to change something that we had been talking about something.

·       It opened my eyes to things I thought I couldn’t do and shouldn’t do.

·       It gave me more confidence

·       Immediately lightened, listened to, empowered and as if options had suddenly emerged that I hadn’t seen before. After coaching I felt energised and hopeful.

·       I felt able and I felt I was able to be a kinder, more supportive and compassionate team member.

 Question 3.

Did you do things differently after having your coaching session, do you think it changed the way you might approach a conversation or task for example?

·       In short yes, it helped me to be brave to act as opposed to previously thinking that I didn’t have any options. I think it has given me confidence to approach tasks with a more questioning thought process and given me tools to get out of unhelpful mental habits as I found coaching more of an ongoing process and not a quick fix. I felt supported to take action too.

·       I think differently now because of coaching, I realised I am capable and not held back in the way I was, I was given the opportunity to stop and think things through for myself.

·       I managed to chair a meeting, something I haven’t done before and got lovely feedback afterwards.

·       Yes I think differently because of coaching, I stop to consider my options before acting or reacting. I feel like I have an inbuilt coach and because of this I make better decisions, am kinder to myself and others.

·       I developed courage I didn’t know was there, I could have difficult conversations and they could go well! I am not afraid to challenge or confront things now, because I have been given the tools to do this respectfully and authentically.

·       I believe my coaching has helped me to  positively influence the culture I work in and also my personal life. It’s helped me to be the version of myself that I want to be.

·       Helped me in terms of setting boundaries. My coach said to me would you rather set the boundaries and feel uncomfortable for 10mins or not set the boundaries and feel uncomfortable for weeks or months? That really helped me to take control of saying no to things sometimes. Better for me and those I say yes to because I am more likely to do it and not let them down.

Question 4.

What were the top 3 benefits of coaching for you?

·       Transformation of mindset

·       Accepting myself a bit more.

·       Safe space to talk to someone

·       Self confidence and belief

·       Realising what is in my control and what is not and letting go of that stuff

·       I feel so much more confident

·       I stop and think instead of instantly responding – I think about the pros and cons

·       I’ve stopped being a people pleaser

·       Managed my fear of failure

·       It has challenged some long held beliefs – I now ask myself, what is the worst that could happen?

 Question 5.

Would you recommend coaching to others?

·       100% Yes.

·       Very useful, highly recommend.

·       It’s helped me at home and personally as well as at work.

·       Yes I would and do.

·       It is a hard skill but worth the effort

 Any other comments

 I would admit to having preconceived ideas of what coaching would be like and it wasn’t anything like what I thought, and I think anyone at any level should try it.