FAQ

What is coaching?

What coaching is has shifted from primarily being a tool for bridging gaps and correcting behavior, to being a tool for taking individuals to the next level in their professional careers, athletic performance, leadership, relationships and personal life. The process is a ‘real-time’, experience-based learning model, which focuses on the present and the future. It focuses on identified areas and aspects of the individual’s life where he/she is lacking forward movement, fulfillment, balance and/or success. Coaching also involves goal-setting and customized route mapping on how to best achieve those goals, based on the individual and his/her values, skills, strengths and areas of growth.

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

Just about anyone and everyone can benefit from coaching. Those who can best take advantage of coaching are highly motivated individuals who strive to grow, optimize and become their best self (on a personal, athletic and/or professional level). Coaching is an effective tool in the areas of performance, leadership, goal setting, interpersonal relationships, communication, happiness and balance to name a few. For coaching to work to its fullest capability, it is essential that the individual is open to the process and motivated to actively engage with it.

Can you coach our whole company?

I can absolutely come in and work with a group of employees, either on a one-on-one basis or as a group. Having an objective coach helps form trusting and open relationships, which is the foundation for opening up the doors to effective and successful change and growth. Investing in your employees shows them the worth and value they add to the company. It helps with their professional development, growth, dedication, satisfaction and success. Coaching is a forward-thinking method of offering your employees a well-rounded employee benefit and investment in your people. Contact me for details on how to set up your coaching experience.

Why engage in coaching?

Because it works! The reasons to engage in coaching are as many as there are coaches out there. People turn to coaches for a wide variety of reasons; to optimize, help bridge gaps and build further success in various areas of their personal, athletic and professional lives. Coaching often helps people set and reach their goals faster than would have otherwise been possible. Coaching focuses on the areas where improvement or growth has been identified, and works to efficiently bridge any gaps and build long-term success.

What is the coaching relationship like?

The relationship between a coach and coachee is a dynamic, thought-provoking, supportive and empowering process that offers people the space to maximize their personal, athletic and professional potential. Every coaching relationship is different. Different personalities, backgrounds, beliefs, needs, wishes and goals etc. shapes different coaching paths and relationships. AiM Coaching uses a tested and proven process and methodology with clients in order to empower, support and challenge them. However, each interaction is customized to the coachee and to what is going on at that given time in their life. The process offers the flexibility to meet the coachee where they are and meaningful forward movement from that point.

The coaching alliance will be as strong as the power granted to it by all parties involved. It is built on mutual trust, respect, honesty, integrity, deep care and commitment.

How do I know if you are the right coach for me?

A coach is someone you can talk to comfortably and openly. There is a relationship of trust where you feel that the coach listens, hears and understands you and you feel good about the approach the coach has. The coaching relationship is like most other relationships you have in your life; it’s a bit of gut instinct to feel into whether or not this person is a good fit, and with time, if the relationship continues to thrive. That’s why I offer the first session free- it gives us a chance to meet and see if we’re the right fit moving forward. To schedule your free session, click here.

Are all coaches certified?

No, there is currently no governing body that requires coaches to be certified. However, there are lots of credible, professional and certified coaches out there who have the proper training and experience to call themselves coaches. Ask your potential coach if they are certified, what their educational and experience background is, and any other questions you may have in order to feel that you are hiring a professional and accredited coach that is right for you.

Mia at AiM Coaching has gone through the all the coaching education modules and certification program with CTI (Coaches Training Institute) and is a CPCC (certified professional co-active coach) certified coach since 2008.

What is the coach’s role?

The coach serves as an objective and non-judgmental sounding board that engages listening, inquiry, feedback (rather than advice), empowerment, challenge, support and accountability to help their clients learn, grow and reach successful results much faster. A coach helps the client through self-discovery and to define a plan and appropriate actions to reach the outlined goals and sets up appropriate follow up steps and accountability throughout the process.

You can expect your coach to:

Hold and support your vision and goals and to provide structure that helps you in making conscious choices and movement
Challenge you to step beyond your present limitations and hold you accountable to your goals
Be an objective, non-judgmental and active listener
Tell the truth and give you straight feedback.

What is required of me, as the client?

Coaching is a guided process that assists you with living your best life. In order to see benefits, you will need to:

Be committed to living an extraordinary life;
Be responsible for the results of your coaching process;
Be committed to the coaching sessions and taking action to integrate the coaching principles with your own thinking, communication and actions;
Tell the truth; be honest with yourself and your coach even when it’s uncomfortable;
Keep an open mind;
Be respectful of the time commitment; and
Be ready to be held as resourceful, creative and whole and therefore also accountable.

Is there a minimum time commitment?

Coaching is a process of change and growth. There will be times when the client takes big leaps in their learning and development and sometimes set-backs or situations of trial and error occur, which are all normal and expected. It also takes time to develop new habits, perspectives, thinking patterns and to implement new strategies and actions for long-term learning and growth to set root and establish. Therefore, Aim coaching asks clients to invest in a minimum of four months of coaching, in order to get a better overview or the progress, movement, and results of coaching.

Where do we meet?

Coaching can take place either over the phone, WhatsApp, Google Meet, Skype or face-to-face meetings in the Calgary area. It depends on geographical distance, convenience and what the client feels most comfortable with.

What is a sample session?

A sample session is a complementary 20-30 minute session. It’s a good time to ask questions and get a better feel and understanding of coaching and of how coaching can be applied and work in your life. It’s also serves to get a better feel for the coach and whether or not he/she is the right coach for you before you decide whether or not you would like to being engaging in regular coaching sessions.

How long until I see results of the coaching?

This depends. Some results are almost instant whereas others take longer to achieve and establish. It all depends on what the goals are, what is identified as successful results, and your willingness and efforts towards achieving those.

What can I expect after each coaching session?

Typically homework will be assigned, which the coach and the client co-design together to help anchor, and put into action, the discoveries from the coaching session. There will be a timeline and other structures set up to frame the assignment.

Between coaching sessions the client will have access to the coach via email so should obstacles arise the coach is there to support and help the client get back on track or to redesign the homework to be more beneficial.

Prior to each subsequent meeting, the client will be asked to email a preparation form, which will focus on updating the coach on what has happened in the time since the last meeting. It will outline your successes, obstacles, and learning, along with what you would like to focus on in the next session. The client brings the agenda; the coach is responsible for holding that agenda.

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Commonly it’s said that coaching focuses primarily on the present and the future, while therapy looks more closely at the past and the present. Coaches do not diagnose and treat their clients; they view their clients as whole, resourceful and creative beings, and co-designs plans and ongoing movement together with them. Coaching can be said to be more action oriented while therapy is more insight oriented. Coaches do not diagnose illnesses and healing is not the objective. The client and coach are equal partners with focus on the present and future; and progress tends to be quick and enjoyable.

Are my coaching sessions confidential?

Yes, all client information is confidential unless required to be released by law.

There could be exceptions such as an outlined reporting responsibility from the coach to an organization/client, for example. This would be agreed on by all parties involved including the coachee before the coaching starts.