FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COACHING

Can I be coached on more than one skill at the same time?

Yes.  Although, when your Coach reviews your needs and completes an assessment, there will likely be a general "order" of importance, based on your own priorities and how the skills interrelate to one another.  It also should be noted that "lines" between skills are rarely drawn so distinctly that one is identified to the exclusion of all others.  In fact, we strive to make the skills you learn as applicable and transferable as possible.  In order to accomplish this, we encourage you to draw as many associations and connections between and among skills as is reasonably possible for your particular needs.

I'm unfamiliar with long-distance Coaching.  How effective is it?

Given the choice, most Coaches would probably choose face-to-face settings.  The reality, however, is that such a scenario can be time consuming (for the travel) and costly.  We have offered long-distance (including electronic) Coaching for several years, and have found it to be a simple and effective alternative for face-to-face meetings.  There are occasions during a Coaching relationship when the Coach and Client may meet face-to-face, either as the result of specific training that would be easier under such circumstances, or as the result of a convenient travel schedule.  Although these face-to-face meetings are certainly beneficial, they are rarely a requirement.  That being said, we have Clients who, by their own selection, opt to meet with their Coaches face-to-face.  On the other hand, we have Clients who have been Coached for months or years without ever "meeting" their Coaches.  The long-distance relationship is something we have worked hard at developing.  It began as a convenience for a few Clients and has evolved into our most popular Coaching option.

Why do you begin with the MBTI?

Explained properly, the MBTI is one of the best organizational tools available.  In fact, one of the primary ways to address interpersonal effectiveness is through an application of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) to your specific organizational setting.  It is virtually impossible to discuss interaction styles, individual decision-making, strategic impacts, change management, or even resource allocation without referring to many of the fundamental premises of this instrument.  Whenever an individual is able to develop a practical understanding of these concepts, the odds of effective interaction are increased, while much unnecessary stress is decreased.  While no instrument is a panacea, interpreted correctly, the MBTI is a solidly based, non-judgmental foundation on which to build interpersonal and managerial skills.  An understanding of diversity of thought and the richness and texture it contributes to organizational decision making is essential for individual and/or group development.

I've taken the MBTI before, do I need to take it again?

The key to the MBTI is in its explanation.  We have administered this instrument for a quarter of a century to tens of thousands of people in many professions and many cultures.  Our finely tuned and rather unique method of explanation brings a range of insights to the instrument that are usually overlooked.  In addition, Coaching Clients complete the MBTI, STEP II (formerly the Expanded Analysis) a more in-depth version of the instrument.  Some Clients later opt to take the Step III version, as well.  

Am I limited to these six instruments?

No, not at all.  Some of our programs already suggest the use of added instruments.  As an example, the Strong Interest Inventory is often used in conjunction with career development and can be scored using the individual's MBTI Type to provide a richer and more elaborate description of his or her "best-fit" options.  These can be further supplemented by Professional and Entrepreneurial Reports based on the individual's responses to the Strong.  There are dozens of available instruments, and we would be happy to discuss any additional ones you might want to pursue.

What about access to my Coach?

We strive to keep our Coaching rates affordable.  As such, our usual arrangement is to schedule the next appointment during the current Coaching session (and so on).  There are times, however, when Clients need to confer with their Coaches in addition to these scheduled meetings.  Circumstances and/or questions arise and require sooner contact than originally anticipated.  We normally respond to a call for additional time within 24 to 48 hours, and will try our best to accommodate the request (often using evenings or weekends if necessary).  If a sooner turnaround time is needed, the firm will make every effort to contact the Coach, but will not guarantee immediate access.  Still, the vast majority of Clients with unscheduled, special requests have them met within a mutually agreeable timeframe.  [As an aside, there are a category of Coaching Clients who do have 12, 18 or 24 hour access, meaning they can contact the Coach directly by phone or page and will receive a response within a 5 to 45 minute timeframe.  Generally, these are political candidates, government officials, or C.E.O. positions, and there is a sliding premium on their rates for such access.]