What is coaching?
Coaching is still one of those fields that is not widely understood. There are endless approaches and interpretations to what it means and looks like, so no two coaches are the same. It's always important to make sure that you connect with a coach before working with them to make sure you like their approach and connect with them personally.
I get a lot of questions about my approach to coaching so I've created this blog as a starter guide or FAQ page essentially for anyone interested to learn more.
If you prefer video, you can watch this in video format here, or continue reading below.
What is coaching?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
In other words, coaching is a partnership that provides structure and accountability so you can better understand what you really want, learn to stop getting in your own way, and get excited to take consistent action. The process allows you to find clarity, confidence, and structure to achieve your goals quicker than you would on your own.
What makes a coach unique is that they are a neutral-third party in your life and career. That means they're not emotionally invested in your decisions and actions like friends, family, and mentors. So coaches can help you see things from new perspectives, they don't insert their own opinion or bias, and can call you out when needed.
What does my coaching style look like? What does a typical coaching session look like?
Typically, I work with clients for either 3 or 6 months at a time, depending on their goals. We set very specific goals at the beginning of our partnership so that we can clearly measure success along the way (and stay on track).
We'll start each session by discussing your progress since our last call (#accountability), then understand your requested topic for the session. Sessions usually look like me asking a lot of questions and giving you space to dig deeper into your requested topic.
We may brainstorm new ideas, map out long-term projects, or create a mindset breakthrough. A breakthrough is that 'mind blown' feeling where you finally see how you've been holding yourself back subconsciously. Toward the end of the call we will decide what you will work on, and by when, to move your project and goals forward based on the learnings from that session.
To put it another way, it's like having a professional organizer for your brain.
What topics come up in coaching sessions with my typical clients?
Prioritization and time management
Delegation & reducing overwhelm
Leadership confidence
Boundaries & communication
Burnout prevention
Difficult conversations
Strategic thinking
Accountability
Managing competing priorities
Sustainable routines and systems
How is coaching different from therapy?
In therapy, you're typically looking at your present and the past. For instance - what happened in my past that is influencing me today. It tends to be emotions-focused.
Coaching you're typically looking at your present and your future. For instance - where do I want to be in the future and what do I need to do today to get there. It tends to be more action-focused.
How is coaching different from mentoring?
Typically with mentoring, you're looking for advice from someone who already is where you want to be in the future. You want to hear about the mentor's personal journey and you ask them questions.
With coaching, I firmly believe that you are the expert of your own life, I’m here to provide you space to come up with the answers you've been looking for yourself. I mostly ask questions you to get to the root of what's getting in your way, and reflect back themes that I hear. I'm not here to tell you what to do, talk about my journey, or give you some big secret to living life.
What types of careers are my typical clients in?
Account manager
Sales manager
Director of Operations
Director of Marketing
Consultant
Software Developer
Recruiter
and more!
How did I become a coach?
After working with my first life coach in 2019, I was so moved by the process that I knew if I could help one person the way she helped me, I'd be more fulfilled than anything I could do in the next 30 years in my career at the time.
So, I took a 12-month intensive coach and leadership training program called Accomplishment Coaching. Once a month I flew up to Washington DC (from Charlotte, NC) to attend training all day on Saturday and Sunday while I still had my full-time job. Not only did I learn numerous coaching tools and practice them on clients, but I practiced these tools myself and applied them to my own life.
My training consisted of roughly 200 hours of group training, 50 hours of being coached, 30 hours of coaching, a dozen books read, and countless learnings and breakthroughs.
I continue my learning and growth by working with other coaches, reading personal development/coaching/leadership books, and practicing new tools and techniques regularly.
Curious if coaching is right for you? Book a free discovery call. No pressure, just a conversation.
Brittany Canaski is a highly-rated Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Founder of Hello Velocity where she builds confident leaders and high-performing teams. When she's not building her business, you can find her planning her next travel adventure with her husband, watching Formula 1 racing, or volunteering in her local community of Charlotte, NC.
