What is coaching all about?

Here are some frequently asked questions about the personal, executive, and career coaching that I do. If you are interested in scheduling a free one half-hour coaching session, please contact me at: marsha@marshaegan.com Thanks! Have an amazing day!

Regards, Marsha Marsha D. Egan, CPCU, API, CPIW, ACC ICF Certified Success and Executive Coach President, The Egan Group, Inc.
Marsha D. Egan, ACC, is certified by the International Coaching Federation.  She has coached over 300 hours, and taken over 250 hours in classes.  She is a graduate of CoachU, and is a member of the Philadelphia Area Coaching Alliance.  More about Marsha... See below for Coaching FAQs...

Thanks for all your help and encouragement.  I credit you for sparking me to action.                                                                                                                 -J. L. Entrepreneur
Marsha has been very professional, helpful and supportive.  She is someone I trust in guiding me to achieve the things I want to achieve in life.  As a result of my shifts in thinking and what I have learned from Marsha, I'm happier, better adjusted, and more productive in my personal and professional life.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Marsha.  She is someone I would highly recommend as a professional coach.                                                   --Corporate Manager, DE
By working with Marsha I was able to identify and attack key areas that promoted my personal and business development. We explored some life goals that were on the back burner and she inspired me to ask the question: "What am I waiting for?" As a result I was able to negotiate an improved compensation plan with my investment partners, and I was confident to take the plunge and buy that long dreamed of shore house. By setting and writing down the goal and seeing it as a real possibility it became much closer than I thought it was.                                                  --J.G., Executive
I feel compelled to write and formally let you know what a wonderful job you have done helping to coach me.  As you may remember, I was in a very difficult time of transition.  After having built up a successful career, I was in danger of losing it all and losing my sanity because of the after-effects of an automobile accident that was impinging upon my previously-honed abilities. I don’t know what I would have done without your excellent counsel.  Not only did you patiently and fully listen to me - my entire problem, beginning to end - but you really focused my efforts on exactly what I needed to do.  You helped me see beyond my disabilities and toward what I could do with my life as of now.  You encouraged me, helped me, centered me - allowing me the encouraging environment I needed to get beyond the difficulties and move toward the solutions.  You enabled me to celebrate the small successes I was having - and put me back in control of my own life. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the help that you have provided me.  I am now truly on the road to recovery - mentally, physically, and financially.  Your work is truly a wonder to behold.                                      --Technology Consultant
"Working with Marsha has made a dramatic difference in my life.  With her help, I have gotten to know myself better, identify and correct self-limiting thinking, and reach a level of personal and professional effectiveness that I never dreamed possible.  I continue to be amazed by the things I am accomplishing in my life right now (frequently with minimal effort!).  It is easy for me to trace much of my current successes back to things I learned from working with Marsha."                                                       -Fortune 500 Corporate Manager "The time with Marsha was well spent.  I was able to organize and matriculate the very things needed for my goals  to materialize.  I have certainly benefited from her techniques and now I have the tools to proceed with confidence." -Entrepreneur "Marsha's encouragement and coaching had led me over the years to obtain 5 insurance designations.  When I went to work for my current employer, I had come from almost all small agency run businesses.  In that type of atmosphere there is no "corporate politics" per say.  Marsha's coaching helped me to learn how to survive in a large corporation which I knew nothing about when I started.  My career is thriving today and I am in the process of continuing to climb to greater heights. I can't say enough about Marsha as I do not think I would be where I am today without her.  She continues to help me grow to new heights. Marsha, thank you for all you have done for me and not only my career, but for myself as an individual."         -Property and Casualty Insurance Underwriter   Marsha D. Egan, ACC, is certified by the International Coaching Federation.  She has coached over 300 hours.  She has taken over 250 hours of coaching courses. She is a graduate of CoachU, and is a member of the Philadelphia Area Coaching Alliance. And for more information on Marsha's experience, click here. Call her today for a FREE 1/2 hour telecoaching session! Toll free: 877-749-4036
Coaching FAQs
	What is coaching?
	How is coaching different from consulting?
	What is the basic philosophy of coaching?
	Who hires a coach and why?
	What happens when you hire a coach?
	Does the coach work on personal goals or business/professional goals?
	Where does the coach focus with an average client?
	Why does coaching work?
	When does coaching work best?
	Why is coaching becoming so popular?
	How do coaches work?
	What else should I know about how coaches work?
	What are your fees?
	What do you expect of your clients?
	How do you coach?
	Please, give me some context about coaching...
	What about people who are already doing really well in their lives.
	Can a dependency be created between coach and client?
	Can coaching hurt someone?
	Can I hire a coach just for a short-term, special project?
	How long must I commit if I start working with a coach?

• Help people set better goals and then reach those goals.
• Ask their clients to do more than they would have done on their own.
• Help their client to focus so as to produce results more quickly.
• Provide clients with the tools, support and structure to accomplish more.

"My clients get focused and producing faster because they have a coach."

• Consulting.  Consultants are experts who advise clients.  With coaching, we recognize that you are the expert on YOUR hopes and dreams, and what "makes you tick."  Coaches are experts on the methods that will help you get there. Unlike consulting, the coach stays with the client to help implement the new skills, changes and goals, to make sure that they really happen.
• Therapy. Coaching is not therapy. Coaches don't work on "issues" or get into the past or deal much with understanding human behavior. Coaching is about moving forward, not necessarily delving into the past.   That knowledge may come as clients move forward toward personal and professional goals that will give them the life they really want, but it should not be the focus of a coaching relationship.
• Sports. Coaching includes several principles from sports coaching, like teamwork, going for the goal, being your best. Unlike sports coaching, most professional coaching is not competition or win/lose based. Coaches focus on strengthening their clients' skills, not on helping them beat the other team. Coaches look for win/win solutions.
• Best friend. A best friend is wonderful to have. But is your best friend a professional who you will trust to work with you on the most important aspects of your life and/or business? Have both - a best friend and a coach. They are not one and the same.

Simply put, it is that we humans are great, that we're all discovering what we really want, and that we can get what we want faster and more easily by having a coach who's been there and who can help us.

• They want more, or less... of something.
• They want to bridge a gap or overcome a hurdle.
• They want to advance in their careers.
• They want to grow.
• They want to do things more easily and effectively.
• They want to have more life balance.
• They want to figure out "who they want to be when they grow up!"

• You take yourself more seriously.
• You take more effective and focused actions immediately.
• You stop putting up with what is dragging you down.
• You create momentum so that it's easier to get results.
• You set better goals that are more exactly what YOU want.
• You take action. You achieve results.
• You change. For good.

While it depends on the client's focus, coaches may work on both, actually. With the line between personal and business life blurring, the coach is trained to work with all aspects of you. Each client is different, has different challenges, and the paths will vary.

• Discovering gaps between the current situation and the desired vision.
• Getting the client's personal foundation strengthened. This may include building more self confidence or self care.
• Helping the client beef up their reserves, and make space for what is important.
• Helping the client set goals based on individual and/or career aspirations.
• Helping the client navigate around or overcome obstacles.

By including these with what each client wants, coaches help their clients have fewer problems and focus on what will make them the most successful. Clients really enjoy this approach.

• Synergy between the coach and client creates momentum.
• Better goals are set-ones that naturally pull the client toward the goal rather than goals that require the client to push himself or herself to the goal.
• The client develops new skills, and these skills translate into more success.

Coaching has been demonstrated to have very powerful results when three factors are present:

1. You have a strong desire to develop your potential
2. There is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be, and
3. You are ready and willing to take action to achieve the results you want.

That is all that is really necessary for you to fill those gaps, and create a more satisfying and successful work and personal life.

• Many people are tired of doing what they think they "should" do and are ready to do something special and meaningful for the rest of their lives. One problem is that many can't see what this is or, if they can, they can't find a way to reorient their life around it. A coach can help them do both.
• People are realizing how simple it can be to accomplish something that several years ago might have felt out of reach or like a pipedream. A coach is not a miracle worker (well, sometimes they are), but a coach does have a large tool kit to help the Big Idea become a Reality. Fortunately, people now have time and resources to invest in themselves in this kind of growth.
• People enjoy having an unbiased confidant, advisor, and cheerleader who has the client's best interests at heart.

Many coaches work mostly on the telephone: It is called telecoaching. The client calls at a pre-scheduled time. Most clients work on a monthly basis, and schedule calls with the coach. Calls last 30 or 45 minutes. Clients may meet with the coach, but most find the telephone to be most effective. Most of the coaching I do is by telephone.  The coach therefore may not even live in your town.

• Fees are paid in advance, due on the 1st of each month
• The monthly fee covers two or three sessions per month.

My fees range from $300 to $1,000 per month.  Hourly rates are also available.

• I expect your best…
  If you are hiring me, then you're probably ready to do and be your best. And if you aren't doing your best, I'll ask you to. If you can't do that at the moment, I'll understand and do what you need to be heard, and helped back on to your path.
• I expect you to be open and honest with yourself (and me…!)
  I ask that you grant our relationship enough room so that you can reach your goals quickly. What that means is that you be willing to be brutally honest with yourself and me. It is important that you tell me all of what you are thinking and feeling and that you are willing to listen to what I have to say. And, you should take the time you want to develop the trust you need between us.
• I expect you to be willing to change...  Coaching is about changing-for the better.   The more you are open to change, the greater the possibilities for forward progress.
• I expect you to use me as a resource, not as a dependency…
  As your coach, I am a resource for you to use to your best advantage: I have an almost unlimited amount of love, compassion, forgiveness, strength for you and I can share many principles which will increase your success and add to the quality of your life. AND, I ask that my clients use me as this resource and friend that I am, but not to let themselves get into the position of needing me (or coaching) as a dependency thing or fix.

• I make direct requests…
  From time to time, I'll make a binding inquiry, like "Will you accomplish X by the end of the month? You may say yes, say no or offer another solution. I'll make you right whichever way you respond.
• I am straightforward…
  If I am sure of the situation, and you're open to it, I'll make specific suggestions on how to handle a problem or "go-for" an opportunity. If I am not sure, I'll say so. Honesty is one of my values--I am straight and expect the same from you. Regardless, use the best of what I say and use your own judgment.
• I don't step over much…
  When I hear a funny tone in your voice, or notice something amiss, I may ask you about it. Often, it is these small moments, which offer the chance to resolve something. However, I don't confront or push; I'll merely invite you to look at something.
• I give homework…
  I usually ask that you come up with two or three goals, actions or shifts to have between one call and the next. If it is too much, say so. If you want more, just ask.
• I am unconditionally constructive…
  No matter what happens during our call, you can expect me to say only those things, which further your life and your goals. If you are disturbed, I do understand. If you are stuck, I will be patient. If you can't wait to share a victory, I will celebrate with you. I will not make you wrong, criticize you, complain to you or gossip about you.
• I'm "on your side!"
• I want to hear from you when something great happens...  Send me an email or give me quick call when you want to share.  You don't have to wait for your next appointment!
• I never reveal who my coaching clients are... If you wish to tell others that you are working with me, that's great.  they'll never hear it from me.

Not really. The client may "need" the coach in order to maximize an opportunity or accelerate their growth, yet not be "dependent" on the coach. Anyone who's working on major changes "needs" structure, advice, support and a place to brag, so, in that sense, the coach is certainly helpful, but an emotional, psychological dependency is not created. The coach works with people who are just fine and strong enough on their own. Remember, we're not resolving issues here. The coach is helping the client to create a better future: More success, more money, more fulfillments, and a higher quality of life.

No. Remember, coaches aren't doing psychological work. They're not trying to control the client's thinking. They're not cattle prods; they're partners. They focus on the here and now, and the future.  Your future.  They are cheerleaders.

Yes. Some clients hire a coach to help them accomplish specific goals or projects. Usually, however, the client keeps working with the coach after that because there are even more interesting things to accomplish.

Most coaches ask for a three to six month commitment but usually let you stop immediately if coaching is not working for you right now. Very, very few coaches ask for a written agreement or contract. For the corporate client, however, a signed agreement is simply good business.