Establishing boundaries for coaches, coachees, and the constituency in your coaching program is smart. One effective tool for doing this is an FAQ section in your coaching program manual. What follows are questions that come up for coachees, coaches, and the constituency with example answers. Use these as a foundation for your coaching program manual.
Coachee FAQ’s:
ÞQ: How do I know whether to talk with my coach or manager?
A: When you want an answer, direction, or feedback speak with your manager. When you want to figure something out, consider possibilities, or develop a plan speak with your coach.
ÞQ: What is the accessibility of my coach?
A: Sessions are usually scheduled once or twice a month and the coach is available for calling or emailing a few times between sessions. If you want more time please contact the coaching program administrator.
ÞQ: What if I think the coaching is ineffective?
A: Start by having a conversation with your coach and exploring what is working, what isn’t working, and what the possibilities are for enhancing effectiveness. Next explore whether to continue the coaching relationship with your coach. If you want to address this further, please contact the coaching program administrator.
ÞQ: What if I want to continue coaching longer?
A: Start by having a conversation with your coach and exploring the benefits and the reasons and opportunities for continuing. If you want to address this further, please contact the coaching program administrator.
Coach FAQ’s:
ÞQ: What is the training before I start coaching?
A: Prior to starting as a coach plan on attending an on-site program, Coaching Skills for Leaders, offered by the Center for Coaching Solutions. Alternatively you may attend the Certified Professional Coach program offered by the Center for Coaching Solutions.
ÞQ: What time commitment is required?
A: Each coach is asked to commit to coaching two non-direct reports for 12 months each as a minimum commitment following the training. After that, please talk with the program administrator if you are interested and willing to continue.
ÞQ: How often and how long will I be coaching?
A: On average, coaching sessions are twice a month for 60 minutes and sometimes a longer session once a month is equally or more effective. Plan on emailing and having short conversations with your coachee between coaching sessions. The average coaching relationship is 12 months.
ÞQ: What exactly are my duties?
A: In addition to the training, as a coach you will meet with your assigned coachees once or twice a month, take notes and share those with your coachee only, interact via email and in conversation some between sessions. Please note that everyone in the program is expected to follow program procedures and the Code of Ethics.
Constituency FAQ’s:
ÞQ: What role do I play as a supervisor or manager?
A: Encourage and support your employees to take advantage of the coaching program. Affirm their involvement and recognize their progress and successes.
ÞQ: How do I access the records?
A: The records are not accessible as all of the information is confidential. This is one of the reasons the coaching process provides such a high ROI. For further information please contact the program administrator.
ÞQ: What is the reason that the coach does not report to the supervisor of the coachee?
A: When the coachee knows the information is confidential, they are more comfortable opening up and really exploring opportunities, barriers, and strategies. This in turn leads to more effective planning and more buy-in for following through and thus achieving results.
ÞQ: What can I expect from this process?
A: By supporting and promoting the program and your employees participation, you are supporting individual development. As an organizational goal we want to see this impact employee engagement and productivity positively.
What additional FAQ’s do you recommend including?
