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 FAQ Performance Coaching

What is Excellerate’s definition of performance coaching?

Performance coaching is referenced to achievement against objectives and criteria. We believe that our personal and business lives influence each other so objectives and criteria integrate both personal and organisational needs.

What is the difference between coaching, consulting, mentoring and training?

Coaching Coaching concentrates on where individuals are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be. Results are a matter of the individual’s or team’s intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of coaching skills, approaches and methods

Therapy. Therapy deals with healing dysfunction and conflict within an individual or a relationship. The focus is often on resolving difficulties which limit an individual's emotional functioning, improving overall psychological functioning, and dealing with present life and work circumstances in more emotionally healthy ways.

Consulting. While consultants and the consulting process vary widely, in general consultants are engaged as source of expertise. Their services are most often associated with gap analysis and problem diagnoses resulting in the design and implementation of a solution. In contrast, coaching assumes that individuals or teams are capable of generating their own solutions, with the coach providing supportive, discovery-based approaches and frameworks.

Mentoring. Mentoring is most commonly associated with sharing one’s own experience in a specific area of industry or career development. Coaches are not typically mentors to those they coach.

Training. Training involves an instructional learning model where an expert i.e. person with extensive knowledge about a subject, attempts to develop specific predetermined skills and knowledge in another. This differs from coaching where the expertise is in the process and involves the individual or team in determining objectives.

What are the benefits of coaching?

Performance coaching focuses on supporting you to achieve maximum effectiveness. You develop competencies, improve your confidence and capacity to successfully address more complex organisational and personal challenges. You create more momentum and so you achieve more substantial results. You can also expect to experience greater fulfilment and satisfaction with both life and work.

How can the success of the coaching process be measured?

Performance Coaching includes measurement based on the identification and definition of both external and internal measures.

External Measures include the achievement of goals and objectives identified and agreed at the beginning of the coaching partnership. Milestones and interim goals are also included to monitor progress. Criteria are based on factors that can be seen and measured and that the individual has some direct ability to influence. For example productivity and financial reporting customer, colleague, direct report and manager feedback

Internal measures involve self-assessment processes and tools to evaluate progress and achievement throughout the coaching partnership

How long does it take to see results?

While coaching is not a “fast fix” research has shown that you can experience significant results within the first month of coaching and substantial increases in confidence, energy, and performance within six months. After this period the trajectory is lower often because you are deepening your learning and this may not be as readily apparent to others.

What is the usual timeframe for a coaching partnership?

Coaching timeframes vary and are influenced by the individual's or team’s needs, situation and preferences. Other factors that may impact are the types of goals, the ways individuals or teams prefer to work, the frequency of coaching and financial resources.

Can I work with a coach just for a short-term, special project?

Yes. If you are clear about what you want to achieve with a specific time sensitive goal or project.

What are some typical reasons someone might work with a coach?

There are many reasons an individual or team might choose to work with a coach. For example:

There is a need to accelerate results – at a personal, professional or organisational level

There is a particular project, goal or opportunity that is complex, challenging and/or time sensitive

An individual or team has a reached a plateau and needs to move to the next level

An individual or team has a developed a style which is undermining the achievement of relevant goals

There is a gap in knowledge, skills, confidence, or resources

There is a need to identify and develop potential and leverage core strengths

There is a need to become more productive, efficient, organised and self-managing.

A desire to streamline, simplify and achieve a better balance between personal and professional life.

How do you ensure a compatible coaching partnership?

Prior to the establishment of any coaching partnership there is a personal interview. This enables you and the coach to determine if there’s a good “fit” i.e. style, synergy and chemistry

The interview provides you with the opportunity to discuss your expectations and goals, the coaches’ experience, philosophy, approach and preferred way of working. The most important thing is that you feel your coach is someone with whom you can easily relate, to create a trusting, strong and powerful partnership.

The coaching agreement (developed with you) will include how we address any concerns and what to do when things aren’t working. Regular reviews also evaluate the coaching process and partnership. In the event that the coaching is not working for you, we work with you to close the coaching partnership and identify other options

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

Coaching is a highly effective process that enables you to achieve certain goals however, you will have a better sense if it is appropriate when you are clear about your expectations and what it is you want to accomplish through coaching.

You need to consider how comfortable you feel with a collaborative approach to explore alternatives and consider different perspectives.

And you need to be in the position to make the commitment – devote both the time and the energy required to make real changes.

What are the costs?

Coaching is a professional service similar to those services you would receive from a business advisor, accountant or lawyer. Fees vary depending on the type and duration of the coaching programme. As an indication shorter-term 1-1 performance coaching agreements can range from $750 - $1500 per month.

There are no costs involved for telecoaching with our tollfree number. You will however, incur any the phone charges for teleclasses in which you choose to participate.

Do you have any further questions or want to know how to get started?