Coaching process and approach

When CIHRM is asked to take on a coaching assignment, we immediately start to work on which member of the team will add most value to the coachee. This is called the matching process and is regarded as very important for the relationship between the coachees and the coach and the overall outcome of the coaching process. Sometimes the coachee knows very well what type of coach they are looking for – sometimes more discussions are need. When the matching is completed – we can start the work.

This step includes a mapping of the challenges and issues the leader to be coached wants to reflect upon and discuss. Sometimes this includes an assessment of the leader to be coached. Supervisors, colleagues, direct reports, and customers are often called upon to provide input to the coaching process. A clear, dynamic plan is developed and agreed.

The coaching process usually takes 6 to 12 months and includes regular contact between the leader and the coach – in person, through email and over the phone. The in-person coaching sessions usually take place once a month and have the following structure:

Preparation: the leader sends the coach a list of challenges and issues they want to reflect upon and discuss a couple of days before the session takes place. This gives the coach time to prepare and provides focus for the session.

The coaching session: this usually takes around 2 hours at a location that is convenient.

Reflection: the coach writes a brief memo reflecting on the coaching session. This provides additional input to the leader, as well as a record of the session. This brief memo is often discussed at the start of the next session.

This step involves an in-depth discussion of lessons learned, overall outcomes and the process. The leader being coached will often want to continue the coaching process after the first phase and a new plan is developed and agreed.