Q & A

What is coaching?

Coaching is a process of personal and professional development based on concepts from sports, business, spirituality, psychology and organizational development.  First introduced about two decades ago, it's for passionate people who want more from their personal and professional lives. A coach helps individuals, partners or client groups set larger, more rewarding goals, develop strategies to achieve them and provides support throughout the process. It's not unlike having a personal trainer or an athletic coach... transformational, but in a professional and personal sense. The achievement of goals is something that comes more quickly as a result of the coaching partnership.

Why does coaching work?

 Coaching works when there are two factors present:

•  The client is willing to grow and
•  There is a gap between where they are now and where they want to be.

Successful coaching clients know the value of sharing ideas with someone who understands them and truly listens.  The client sets the agenda and establishes his own goals.  The coach uses skills and expertise in the coaching process to help the client breakthrough blocks, identify choices, accomplish established goals and become empowered to live the life of his dreams.  

Coaching works because of three unique features:

• SYNERGY: Client and coach become a partnership, focusing on the client's goals and dreams and accomplishing more than the client would alone.
• STRUCTURE: With a coach, the client takes more actions, thinks bigger and gets the job done, thanks to the accountability the coach provides.
• EXPERTISE: The coach knows how to help individuals and groups make better decisions, set the best goals, develop new skills for communicating and restructure their professional and personal lives for maximum productivity and fulfillment.

Where do you start with a coach?

Most coaches begin with a special client meeting or call to get to know each other. The coach wants to hear about the client's goals, needs, challenges and opportunities. The client wants to get comfortable with the coach. During this meeting, both parties design a list of goals and a game plan to reach these goals.

How do the coaching sessions work?

Coaching is usually done over the phone or by Zoom. In addition to allowing frequent, regular contact, it makes it easy to stay in the "coaching relationship", since the client can call from their office, home, hotel or anywhere.  Please note that it is recommended that coaching calls not take place while either party is driving! The person coached completes a coaching call strategy form prior to each call, describing current challenges and opportunities and the progress they've made since the last call. Most people are coached two hours a month, in either four 30-minute sessions, three 40-minute sessions, or two 1-hour sessions.

The focus of the call is determined by the client. The coach, through a process of inquiry, helps the client to identify potential solutions and to make the most of opportunities.  The coach guides the client to view things from different perspectives, so that old limitations and barriers to success are broken through. When the client is taking on a large goal, the coach helps to provide the structure and support needed to make sure it gets done.  That forms the basis for the next call.

What happens when you begin a contract with a coach? 

• You take yourself and what you want more seriously.
• You take more effective and focused actions immediately.
• You stop putting up with things that gets in your way.
• You create momentum to achieve more, be more balanced and develop more powerful management skills.
• You set personal goals that are clear and meet your needs.
• You identify and eliminate the barriers that get in the way of the achievement of goals.
• You communicate about what you need and want from others in a more responsible way.

How can an Executive or Manager use a coach? 

Coaching creates an environment where there is freedom from judgment and freedom from expectations that executives and managers behave according to typical corporate mandates. In this environment it is safe to question, to appear vulnerable, to observe, to explore, to experiment, to learn and to change. That allows the executive or manager to use the coach...
 

• To reach high targets and quotas. Accomplishing this consistently requires an executive or manager who also coaches a team to work together to reach extraordinary goals.
• For business planning, budgeting and goal-setting.
• To integrate business and personal life for balance.
• To prioritize actions and projects.
• For training, developing and managing staff.
• To turn around a difficult situation.
• To handle business or personal problems.

Why are some tabs marked Client Area?  What information is in these sections? 

The tabs marked "Client Area" are designed for use by registered Bluehill Clients who have already established a Login ID and PASSWORD with their Bluehill coach. In this area registered clients can:
 

• Complete the Welcome Packet
• Update various forms (such as Client Profile, Goals, Discovery, Evaluations) that will be used in the coaching relationship
• Schedule & re-schedule coaching appointments on-line
• Complete a Weekly Call Strategy Form prior to each coaching session
• Review archived newsletters and other documents posted for by a Bluehill coach for the client's use
• Client information is available through this website only to the Logged In client and his/her coach
• Be confident that their personal information is available only to the logged in client and his or her coach.

How do I access the Client Area? 

Established Bluehill Coaching Group clients may click on Login in the upper center of the HOME Page and gain entry to the Client Area pages once a Login ID and PASSWORD have been established with a Bluehill coach.  You will know you have successfully logged into this area when the webpage displays: Welcome (YOUR NAME)! in the upper left corner.  Clients are encouraged to utilize the Client Area frequently.  It is an efficient and effective way to be accountable for meeting your goals and for communicating with your coach between sessions.

What if I’ve lost my Client Area PASSWORD? 

Not a problem! Just go to the HOME page and click on the Login link at the top center. Registered clients will be able to enter username and then click on the “I FORGOT MY PASSWORD” button. The system will automatically send you an email with your PASSWORD included. Should you misplace your USERNAME, simply contact your Bluehill coach via email and your USERNAME will be sent to you.

What do I do if I have to re-schedule an appointment? 

Simply Login with your USERNAME and PASSWORD and access the on-line calendar to re-schedule. Make sure you select an open coaching time within a slot marked "AVAILABLE". Once you have determined the time you would like to reschedule for, simply click on the "title" of your current coaching appointment, click on the "EDIT" button and change the start time, stop time and date to reflect the new desired appointment time. Both you and your Bluehill coach will receive instant emails confirming the changes.

What happens if I miss a call due to an emergency? 

Emergencies can happen.  Don't let your missed appointment become a source of stress.  Simply call or email your Bluehill coach at your first opportunity.  If the contact is made within 24 hours of the missed appointment, your Bluehill coach will make every effort to reschedule your appointment.  For Bluehill Platinum Package clients, added flexibility is built into the coaching package for last minute reschedules and missed appointments due to emergencies.  In all cases, clients are urged to value their commitment to appointment times, and keep them as scheduled.