Individual Coaching/Mentoring

While each coaching and mentoring assignment will be highly individualized according to the requirements of the individual and the organisation, we still ensure that there is a consistent approach involving the following steps.

Matching and Outlining

Coaching and mentoring both start with an interview. We meet with the individual who is to be coached/mentored and the company's nominated representative to review the issues and desired outcomes and to ensure there is a match between the coach/mentor and client. In this meeting, ground rules for the relationship and reporting are established and agreement is reached on the role of the coach/mentor, boundaries, meeting requirements, number of sessions and level of confidentiality.

Agreement

A letter of agreement is then drawn up and reviewed by all parties.

Needs Analysis

The staff member and coach/mentor then meet to discuss needs and issues in more detail (business challenges, work/life balance considerations, career goals, etc.) and identify a select number of highest-priority areas for further support or development.

Assessment

Where necessary, assessment instruments can be used such as 360-degree feedback and personality profiling tools to assist in the needs analysis process.

Planning and Goal Setting

The coach/mentor and client then define the areas of desired support and development. Critical issues, potential roadblocks and essential behaviors are identified, priorities are established, and a development plan is written. This plan focuses on key developmental objectives and includes measurable results and time-framed targets. This plan forms part of the agreement.

Implementation

Through frequent meetings, transformational thinking, practice and feedback, the desired behavior changes and goals are achieved. Experts in areas such as time management, image development, presentation and media skills and many others are available to participants, if needed.

Closure

At the completion of the assignment a feedback and review session is arranged to review the program and outcomes.

Program Structure

An outline of a general program structure would be:

• One meeting for the purpose of matching and setting the ground rules.
• One session of 2 hours for needs analysis, planning and goal setting.
• One meeting to discuss the development plan with sponsors.
• Coaching sessions start two weeks after the needs analysis, planning and goal setting session.
• A program generally runs over a 3, 6, 9 or a maximum of 12 month period at an average frequency of once per month after the needs analysis, planning and goal setting phase.
• Each session usually runs for between 1 to 2 hours.
• Where requested, ‘checking in’ meetings are arranged with the sponsor.
• One final session to review the program and outcomes.

Evaluation

In addition to the final review discussion, clients can choose to receive a brief written report at the end of the program that will outline the coachee’s progress towards his/her goals and recommendations for further development.

A coaching satisfaction survey will also be conducted at the end of the program to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching process.

Fees

Fees depend on the amount of time allocated to each person and the number of people involved in the project. Travel and other approved expenses, where appropriate, are reimbursable.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality in any coaching/mentoring assignment is very important. All information about the coaching/mentoring relationship will remain strictly confidential or limited disclosure for the purpose of development feedback and outcomes. From an organisational perspective, we share no information outside our client’s organisation concerning the program without written consent.

Ethics

Over recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the ethical expectations of businesses and professions. In line with this movement we believe people representing themselves as coaches and mentors must adhere to the highest standards of professional responsibility and accountability. To show our support for this movement we have drawn up a code of ethics that defines the basic ground rules of our service delivery.

Group/Team Coaching

In these turbulent and challenging times, helping groups and teams to effectively manage through change is critical. We design programs for groups and teams that differ from those offered via standard programs available in the marketplace. Our programs target the development of leadership behaviours that have a positive impact on organisational effectiveness and performance and in particular on the development of positive relationships. This is done through a blend of individual and group coaching.
Read more about Group & Team Coaching…