There are thousands of coaches available in Canada, some certified, some not. Certification ensures that a coach has received coach training through a recognised establishment and has been assessed against a comprehensive set of coaching competencies. Additional credentials such as ACC (Associate Certified coach, PCC professional Certified Coach and MCC, Master Certified Coach) attest to the amount of coaching experience a Coach has gained. Membership of a professional association such as the International Coach Federation, ensures that a Coach is following a code of ethics and standards. With so many variables to consider, how do you make the selection to ensure your organization gets a good return on investment?
A question of choice
Since coaching is a one on one interaction, the chemistry between the coach and individual is critical. Individuals can get a good sense of the coach’s background and experience by reviewing a bio. It is important for individuals seeking coaches to be involved in the selection process. Coaching can be very personal, therefore confidentiality, mutual respect and trust are key factors. Depending on the needs, most firms offering coaching services can refer two or three coaches for selection purposes.
Considerations
Trained coaches will follow a process and seek to understand the coaching assignment through strong listening skills and by asking the right questions. The role of the coach is to help the individual find the right answers, through probing, listening beyond what is said, taking risks and pushing their clients as appropriate. The role of the coach is not to give advice on the direction to be taken, rather to help the individual work through their options. A coach will help the individual determine the desired outcomes from coaching to ensure that coaching stays on track and provides a tangible return to both the individual and the organization.
- Experience – look for breadth and depth in their coaching experience
- Flexibility – ability to adapt based on coaching needs
- References – with appropriate confidentiality considerations, the references can attest to the outcome focussed work your coach has done in the past.
- Process – choose a coach that has and uses a proven coaching process, which includes goal setting, action planning and assessment of outcomes.
A coaching program is successful when:
- There is strong organizational support at all levels
- It meets the needs of the individual and the organization
- There are clear individual and/or organizational outcomes
- It is not done in isolation and the coach, individual, individual’s supervisor, and possibly organization is involved
- There is trust, commitment and confidentiality between all parties
In summary, rest assured, coaching can yield powerful results when managed effectively!
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Rehana Doobay is the CEO of The Talent Company (www.thetalent.co) and is responsible for creating, communicating, and implementing the vision, mission, and overall organizational strategy. Rehana also leads The Talent Company’s Leadership and Executive Coaching Practice.
Rehana has over 20 years of experience in corporate HR roles supporting clients in information technology, financial services, retail and sales. Her areas of specialty include organizational effectiveness, leadership, employee development, talent attraction and retention. She previously held the position of Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Talent and Diversity Officer at Shoppers Drug Mart and Vice President, Human Resources at American Express.
Her years supporting Fortune 500 companies across Europe and North America led her to pursue her passion for coaching, gaining certification in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University. She is attentive to the individual needs of her clients and their organizational goals. As a coach, she is able to work with clients to refine a clear roadmap to success that is reflective of their personal potential and business needs. Rehana is committed to helping individuals and organizations reach extraordinary outcomes through coaching and leadership development.
For more information on The Talent Company and our offerings please contact Rehana directly at 1-866-973-9150 or via email at rehana.doobay@thetalent.co
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