Coach Training: Looking for Volunteer Clients!

Here’s an update on my leadership coach certification process and an “ask” for you.

Since the November “Life Forward” experience with Hudson Institute for Coaching, I’ve been reading a lot of books about adult psychology, life transitions, listening and feedback, and coaching methodologies and practice. Learning about what coaching is — and isn’t — has been both liberating and intimidating, and now I’m excited to start putting the learning to use with some actual coaching.

Over the next 8 months I want to work with several people who have a coachable opportunity now and who are willing to work with me as I go through the training process. The coaching will involve an initial meeting to discuss the opportunity and to put together a “coaching contract” that sets forth the goals and the process and clarifies any questions about the methodology. Then I expect to meet a couple of times a month (most likely virtually) as we work through the objectives together.

Coaching is about transformation. A coachable opportunity presents when a client seeks change in their life: responding to feedback at work; preparing for or growing into a promotion; considering a career change. Sometimes the client sees clearly the transformation they seek but not the path forward, and other times the client seeks that clarity. This work is not remedial, only fixing problems, but positively oriented towards growth as the client and coach work together to bring about the sustained change that the client seeks.

If you or someone you know would be interested in going on this journey with me over the next 6-8 months, please reach out to me here on LinkedIn. We could start with a conversation to gauge interest and opportunity and fit. During this training period, payment to me will be nominal, but expect both of us to make considerable investment in time, energy and practice as we grow together.

Thank you for your continued interest in my career break and my own transformation as I find joy and purpose for this stage of my life.

John