Alchemy offers a place of self-discovery and learning.
In today’s world where we are facing rapid change and complexity we can be left feeling isolated and overwhelmed. We know how we want to be and that we often fall short. We find ourselves looking for help to makes sense of and navigate our experiences. This is probably how coaching came into being as a skill and service offering. It has become a very broad offering so the question emerges:
What type of coaching do I need?
The answer to the question is always ‘the kind that works for you’, but often you may not know what kind of coaching you need, if at all.
As a potential client the process of deciding what type of coaching you need is an important one. It is not a decision to rush. It is a process of exploration. Once you know what is out there you will very quickly begin to find yourself drawn to certain types of coaching. It is useful to ask people what their experience has been however it is essential to remember what works for them may not necessarily work for you. Your best guide will be to choose what resonates for you.
Some coaches will explicitly specify their areas of expertise and focus, for example; health, leadership, relationship, business etc. If you are clear about what area of your life you want help with then your selection process will focus on coaches with those specific skills. For the rest, you might think you need some kind of coaching but don’t know how to choose. In these cases you need to explore coaching more broadly because the type of coaching you need will only become evident as you research. In fact the type of coaching you need will probably be determined when you find the appropriate coach.
Coaches and coaching organisations will have profiles that you can access which describe their philosophy and methodology. It will be in the reading of these that you begin to experience your own preference. When you have a short list that is the time to connect. The actual connection will confirm your selection. When you communicate directly with the coach you will get a sense of alignment. That is the indicator that you are looking for. Mutual respect, trust and rapport are critical elements in a coaching relationship. You need to feel comfortable with the coach you chose so that you are able to open up honestly and fully and do the work you wish to.