What Do You Do First? Leverate Coaching in Transitions
After a career in Leadership Development, I decided to transition to be a coach. I’ve found if you leverage coaching in transitions, it will make the transition easier and more efficient. A coach is a partner in helping you fulfill your dreams, keep balance, and process what you need to work through along the way!
Although I’ve coached many people in my leadership roles in leadership development, my first step in this transition was to hone my coaching skills. I decided to do this by completing the Co-Active Training Institute’s (CTI) Coach Training Program. This program is comprised of five experiential workshops covering the Fundamentals of the Co-Active Model and learning and using the principles of Fulfillment, Balance, and Process with the Co-Active Model.
What will be the first step in making your transition? Who will you partner with for support?
Hone Your Skills and Leverage Coaching in Transitions
These are the skills I’m honing to be a great coach:
- coaching,
- listening,
- accountability,
- articulating what’s going on,
- acknowledgment,
- asking permission,
- being curious,
- bottom-lining,
- brainstorming,
- championing,
- challenging,
- clarifying,
- clearing,
- confidentiality,
- creating trust,
- dancing in the moment,
- deepening the learning,
- designing alliances,
- evoking transformation,
- focusing on the whole person,
- forwarding the action,
- goal setting and planning,
- holding the client’s agenda,
- holding the focus,
- inquiry,
- intruding/taking charge,
- intuiting,
- using a metaphor,
- taking a meta-view,
- asking powerful questions,
- pausing,
- pacing,
- recognizing that people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole,
- reframing,
- requesting,
- self-managing,
- mirroring,
- observing, and
- visioning
Yes, this is a very comprehensive list. Becoming a great coach is a journey and an evolution.
What skills do you need to learn and hone to make your transition? What skills will transfer from your previous roles?
Gain Experience and Leverage Coaching in Transitions
In addition to honing my coaching skills, I’m gaining experience coaching with the Co-Active Model by completing the CTI 6-month Coach Certification Program, which entails:
- leveraging coaching in transitions by hiring and getting coaching from my certification coach,
- accruing 100 hours of coaching with paying clients,
- participating in group and individual supervision to receive feedback on my coaching,
- learning more about and practicing coaching with my certification leader and pod of coaches,
- getting feedback from other coaches and testimonials from clients, and
- continuing to leverage the Co-active Model, resources, and the CTI community of coaches
Have you hired a coach for your transition? In what ways are you practicing the new skills you need to hone? Are you receiving feedback? Have you joined any communities that can support you in your transition in addition to your coach? What other resources are you leveraging in making your transition? (i.e. books, webinars, social media, podcasts)
Earn Credentials
After completing the certification modules, requirements, and oral exam, I will be a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). Then, I will take the International Coaching Federation (ICF) written exam to earn my ACC. These are both globally recognized coaching credentials.
This has been an enlightening experience so far. I’ve been focusing on being, as well as, doing, challenging myself, practicing patience, trying new things, making mistakes, and learning from them!
Will you benefit from going back to school or earning any credentials when making your transition?
Learn The B Side – Leverage Coaching in Transitions
I’ve also been learning the business side of being a coach as an entrepreneur. For instance, I’m using new tools for scheduling and reminding clients about our coaching sessions and for providing coaching virtually.
I’m leveraging and expanding my coaching network and building relationships. Also by offering complimentary sample coaching sessions, I’m allowing people to experience what we as a coach and client can do in partnership with coaching. This will make my clients more comfortable continuing our coaching relationship and for making referrals based on their coaching experience.
I’m marketing my coaching services from great coaching experiences by sharing testimonials from my clients and the outcomes.
What other facets of your transition do you need to learn about? Who can you learn them from? What resources are available?
Leverage Your Past Experience and Leverage Coaching in Transitions
I’m utilizing skills from previous roles like writing this blog for my website to market myself as a coach on social media. I also hired a coach to help me make this dream come true of having my website to blog to a book!
As an instructional designer, I can also design and develop training. I can also facilitate group training and presentations because I’ve been a facilitator. I’ve also worked with many entrepreneurs and leaders in my career, so as a coach, I can relate to clients in these roles.
Also, I’ve been a student finishing school and looking for a job after completing my bachelor’s degree and then my graduate degree. I know what it’s like to create your first resume and go on your first interview. I’ve also interviewed many people to fill roles on my team as a leader so I know what they’re looking for on the hiring side.
What experience can you leverage from your past roles in transitioning into your new role?
Leverage Coaching in Transitions
Over the years, I’ve taken several opportunities to partner with a coach to make my transitions easier. For example, I’ve:
- been an individual contributor looking for a job at the leadership level and hired a coach to help me land a leadership role
- been hired as a new leader and partnered with a coach to gain confidence and to help me be a better decision-maker and influencer in my new leadership role
- worked with coaches to get healthier by working out and eating healthier losing weight and gaining confidence in the process
- hired a coach for my CTI coaching certification to partner with me as I evolve as a coach and entrepreneur
All of the coaches I’ve worked with in my life have been so beneficial to me. They’ve helped me to be successful in achieving my goals both personally and professionally!
Have you considered hiring a coach? Have you ever partnered with a coach when making a transition?
Make Your Dreams Come True! Leverage a Coach in Transitions!
I’m a personal and professional coach. Contact me at: debbie@queenofglasshalffull.com to schedule a complimentary coaching session. Let’s see if we are a good fit to partner in making your transition goals come true!
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