We all have our own inner truths – a set of beliefs and values that guide us. The work of coaching is to uncover what those truths are so that you can live and lead in accordance with them.

Why is this important? When we’re not in alignment with our values, there’s a friction or disconnect. This can manifest in different ways, subtle or strong. 

It might show up as decisions that don’t best serve you or those around you, not getting what you feel you deserve from life or a general feeling of not being fulfilled despite having the trappings of success. It might show up more acutely as conflict, anger, stress and difficulties in your relationships inside and outside work. 

By working to understand your deepest beliefs and values, new perspectives emerge that open up powerful learnings and unseen possibilities. 

Coaching is a place for this exploration. It leads to choices and decisions that resonate deeply for you – because you have created them. And when your choices align with your values, the way you live and lead will feel anchored to what is right for you – a sense of purpose, being in control and connecting to what is most important in your life.

This is a fulfilling and powerful way to live. Yet it requires commitment. Coaching is at its best when both of us are fully engaged in creating a better future for you. My role as coach is to guide, explore, challenge and champion you in service of your dreams and goals. In turn, coaching will bring incredible value for you as a journey of courage, openness, risk and action.

The commitment you are making to yourself here may be challenging but is simple: I will only get closer to living my values, and to do so I’m willing to make positive changes.

What does all of this mean in practical terms, in a coaching relationship? First and foremost, there is no standard process or set of outcomes that are right for every person. What coaching offers is a completely personalised path for growth. This happens both during and in between sessions. 

The sections below provide a framework for the typical stages of a coaching relationship, including how we first engage.

1. An exploratory conversation

This is free and confidential and offers the opportunity to explore the fit and chemistry. It is important that there is comfort and confidence in the coaching relationship. At this stage we might explore what you want from coaching, what success looks like and how I work.

2.  A proposal

Based on our initial conversation, a tailored proposal is created for you to consider – the objective is your growth, and coaching is one vehicle for that. Each relationship is different and may involve different types of interaction and support to move you towards where you want to be. This proposal is a starting point for discussion between us. 

3. A discovery session

If the proposal works for you, the first step is a discovery session. This is typically 90-minutes, exploring where you are now and discussing your mission, goals and purpose more deeply. It is also an opportunity for us to discuss our coaching relationship in more detail – for example, what do you need from me as a coach?

4. Regular sessions

Working together on a regular basis is the heart of coaching. We’ll agree a regular time and place for our sessions. Sometimes there are actions or inquiries between sessions, and also some ongoing support this is sometimes for specific events or goals like a presentation, for example). Periodically, we’ll check in on how the coaching relationship is working for you.

5. Closure & planning

The goal of coaching is to enable transformation and growth, therefore it will at some point reach a natural conclusion. When the time is right, we’ll reflect on the key learnings that have emerged, and can create a plan for you to continue your journey as a fearless leader of your own life.

Coaching can be an inspiring, exhilarating and transformational journey. Equally it requires ongoing commitment, work and trust to be of most value. The journey may involve some wrong turns, changes of direction and even dead ends, all in the service of identifying the choices that are right for you.

The outcome of this offers a life of purpose, fulfilment and courage – an enriched, authentic way of leading and being.