coaching session

The 12 days of coaching resources – recap

 in Resource / site news  tagged adopt a word / business coach / business coaching / business plan / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / Effortless Success / Elizabeth Purvis / executive coach / Jim Horan / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / Maestro conference / marketing / Michael Bungay Stanier / Michael Neill / new managers / non-coach / performance coaching / personal development / resource / Sir John Whitmore / Stephen R Covey / Steve Chandler / timetrade

The festive season is often a busy time for many people so in case you missed any of the 12 posts here is a quick recap with links for each day.

A mix of different topics providing support and solutions for a range of problems and questions were deliberately selected. You’ll notice that there is a mix of books, audio and other products spaced throughout the 12 days. Some will be more appealing if you are new to coaching, whilst others will be more attractive if you have more experience.

I invite you to explore the following and decide which one is most useful for you.

Day 1 – “The Life Coaching Connection: How Coaching Changes Lives” by Steve Chandler

Day 2 – Get Clients in 30 Days by Elizabeth Purvis

Day 3 – Playing Cards For Happy Managers & Happier Employees

Day 4 – The One Page Business Plan: The fastest, easiest way to write a business plan by Jim Horan

Day 5 – “Effortless Success” by Michael Neill

Day 6 – “The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness” by Stephen R. Covey

Day 7 – Time Trade

Day 8 – “Coaching for performance” by Sir John Whitmore

Day 9 – Maestro Conference

Day 10 – “Get Unstuck & Get Going … on the stuff that matters” by Michael Bungay Stanier

Day 11 – From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session

Day 12 – Adopt A Word

There are many other coaching resources out there, like on this list, some are complimentary and others require an exchange of money. Coaches, if you were to add one extra coaching resource to this list what would you add and why?

Feel free to share you thoughts in the comments box.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 12

 in Resource / websites  tagged adopt a word / business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / performance coaching / personal development / resource

Happy Christmas!

Today’s final resource in our 12 days of coaching resources is:

Adopt a word

You may be aware that for many years animal charities and organisations have given the option of adopting an animal. Are you aware that you can also adopt a word?

Today’s coaching resource is perhaps not one that will immediately spring to many coaches mind as a resource. However, I wanted to include in this list something that also benefits the work of a charity, particularly as Christmas is associated with giving.

One of the things many coaches focus upon is language and paying attention to the words that individuals use. So I thought it was appropriate that this coaching resource is all about words.

Adopting a word is an unusual gift idea whether you want to use it as a promotional present or to give as a personal thank you or sign or appreciation.

Not only do you get a certificate* confirming your word’s adoption but you have the option to “flaunt” your adoption with added merchandise with your word on such as T-shirts, mugs and key rings.

(* Note that this is a UK based charity so if ordering from or for outside of the UK do check about delivery options for the country in question.)

To adopt a word visit here.

Missed Day 11’s coaching resource? Find it here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 11 1

 in live event / Resource  tagged business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / Djanira Cortesão / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / non-coach / performance coaching / personal development / resource

It’s Christmas Eve and we’ve reached oiur 11th coaching resource

From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session

Each month I offer a handful of From Non-Coach to Coach discovery sessions. It’s something I started doing as one big problem I’ve noticed that many coaches struggle with is the transition between being a non-coach to a coach.

Often their focus is upon what they think they “should” be doing. This often means that they either miss the chances to serve (and even profit) from opportunities already waiting for them or they are too scared to take the next step.

I love to be of service to coaches, particularly those who are just starting out on their coaching journey! So I’ve created a special 1 hour session to help with this problem, my From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session.

Scheduling wise I can only offer a small number of these sessions a month but they are open to all.

Your consultation will be laser-focused on one thing, and one thing only: You becoming the coach you want to be.

You get my expertise, loving strong coaching, AND specific action steps to move you forward quickly. Together, we’ll …

  • Create a crystal-clear vision of exactly what being a coach means for you and how it fits with your business and lifestyle goals.
  • Establish exactly what’s been holding you back from making that transition to become a coach and why you are not already serving clients.
  • Identify next action steps for you to easily make that transition from non-coach to coach

I’ll lay out specific action steps for you, and finally, I will make at least one coach’s request to you to get you going. And the best part?

Your 60-minute From Non-Coach to Coach Discovery Session is absolutely FREE

If you are longing to step up, get out there, start getting clients, start making money AND be of greater service to the world …you can see what a tremendous opportunity this is!

The only “catch” is … you have to act fast to get one of this January’s sessions!

To claim one of these FREE sessions, here’s all you need to do:

The first of two steps to booking your from Non-Coach to Coach Discovery session is to visit here and answer a few simple questions.

Once you have done that you will be transferred to an external page that will let you schedule from a selection of available time slots.

Remember I only have space to do a few of these per month so if you want to get the benefit of a session I suggest you act now by clicking here.

Missed Day 10’s coaching resource? Find it here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 10 1

 in books / Resource  tagged business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / Get unstuck & get going / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / Michael Bungar Stanier / performance coaching / personal development / resource

Day 10 of our 12 Days of coaching resources and today’s is:

“Get Unstuck & Get Going … on the stuff that matters” by Michael Bungay Stanier

There are two physical aspects to this resource. The first part is The Action Acceleration Sheet ™ containing coaching elements and questions to help you get unstuck and take action.

The second part of the resource can be used alongside The Action Acceleration Sheet to create a powerful tool or as a stand alone creativity catalyst. Physically, this part of the resource is set out as “flip” pages.

The “flip” pages are sorted into three sections:

  • Inspiring stories,
  • provocative quotes
  • and powerful models.

The idea is that you randomly select a flip in each of the sections and use that to assist you get a new perspective, inspiration and tap into your own creativity and wisdom. Together the flips in all three sections can give 125,000 different combinations.

Personally I find that the format and design of this resource really aids it’s use and makes it really easy to either quickly “dip into” for a boost of inspiration or to take slightly longer to focus on getting unstuck.

It is a product that you can either use alone or with a client/coach/colleague etc. As this is a coaching resource then you probably won’t be surprised about the suggestion that you add an aspect of accountability to assist you to get unstuck. However, it is possible to add accountability without a second person physically working with this resource with you – unless that is your preference.

Using all the sections on offer with this resource you can:

  • Define the challenge you are facing,
  • inspire new solutions,
  • create an action plan to overcome obstacles
  • and then take action and get things going.

To find out more about this resource and to get your own copy visit here.

Missed Day 9’s resource? Find it here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 9 2

 in Products and Kits / Resource  tagged business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / MaestroConference / performance coaching / personal development / resource / seminar / teleclass

Day 9’s coaching resource is:

Maestro Conference

So what is the difference between running an event “live” in person and a teleclass?

Traditionally, teleclasses may have provided much more geographical flexibility and convenience, making it easier for attendees to participate from around the world with no travelling.

However, the technology meant that the structure of your content was restricted to being presented as one large conversation. Your delegates may or may not have been able to vocally participate but when they did share it was with the entire group, one at a time.

One giant conversation can work but you loose some of the interactivity and flexibility that live events can offer. Even with a compelling speaker realistically there can only be minimal interaction with each individual caller.

It can be far too easy for participants to multi-task whilst on the call – checking emails etc and easily get distracted from the class you have prepared. There’s also the added complication that some may not immediately be comfortable talking on a call when they know the whole group also listening.

There is now technology that will allow far more interactivity and flexibility over the phone (or Skype) so that your event is much more like having an event “live” in person.

Maestroconference allows you to have the option of having break-out groups during your call. Allowing you to divide all participants into groups of your choosing so that they can talk to each other without hearing what all the other groups are saying at the same time. You can then bring everyone back into one conversation. When in break out groups, you and any other assistants/speakers you nominate, can “walk the room” listening and participating with different groups.

This technology also allows you to ask participants to vote using their phone keypads – which as leader you can see on screen what people’s response is on a web interface and allow you to capture that information if necessary.

Video, Powerpoint and desktop sharing is currently in beta testing but is an option that that they are currently exploring so that a visual aspect can also be included in calls.

I know the first time I participated as a delegate I was immediately struck at how much more this technology allowed – and the positive benefit the added interactivity brings to the experience.

To find out more about MaestroConferences latest developments and even experience the live interactive platform in a demo visit www.maestroconference.com

Missed Day 8’s coaching resource? Find it here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 8 3

 in books / Resource  tagged business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching for performance / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / performance coaching / personal development / resource / Sir John Whitmore

Today’s coaching resource is one that many class as a classic coaching text:

“Coaching for performance” by Sir John Whitmore

Sir John Whitmore does have a background in sport, having begun his career as a professional racing driver and founding a sport and business training company with Tim Gallwey (Author of such books as The inner game to tennis).

However, you’ll find that as you read this book the main focus is from a business perspective. This does not mean that the skills, models and ideas discussed can not be transfered into other arenas – the book just doesn’t use those examples and you will have to create your own 😉

This book has sold over 500,000 copies in at least 17 languages. It’s a book that has been popular in the corporate world for new managers as it’s presented in a user friendly manner, you’ll find that it’s written in a concise style with any “jargon” clearly explained. Presenting coaching as a method to grow people, performance and purpose.

One of the first coaching models that many coaching schools teach is GROW. You’ll find that this book provides an overview of the model and each section within it’s pages. Which is perhaps why this book is many people’s first coaching book.

Whilst earlier editions will vary in how the book is arranged, you’ll find that the latest edition is divided into 4 sections:

  • The Principles of Coaching;
  • The Practice of Coaching;
  • Leadership for High Performance;
  • Transformation through Transpersonal Coaching

The first edition of this book was published in 1992 , whilst the latest and forth edition was published in 2009. The last publication saw the inclusion of a new section on leadership and chapters such as the future focus of coaching. Adding an extra 50 pages to the third edition copy.

You can click the link to go straight to this book on Amazon UK, or Amazon.com

Did you miss Day 7’s coaching resource? You will find it here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 7 1

 in Products and Kits / Resource  tagged appointment scheduler / business coach / business coaching / calender / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / performance coaching / personal development / resource / Time trade

As we arrive at Day 7 of our 12 Days of coaching resources today’s is:

Time Trade

Time trade is an appointment scheduler that I personally find really easy to use. When I first started as a coach, particularly when setting up an initial chat with someone who had expressed an interest in coaching, I found that it wasn’t unusual to play email and/or phone mail tag before we could find a time that worked for us both.

I found that it has eliminated a lot of email/voice mail tag that used to go on – so I’m actually having conversations with people at a convenient time for us to both and a lot quicker than previously!

If you, like me, often talk to individuals in other parts of the world you will be familiar with working with different timezones. This scheduling system automatically detects the timezone someone is physically in and coverts the available times to show automatically in the local time for the person looking at the schedule. This cuts out either person having to manually do any maths to work out what time it will be for them – I like things that make processes easier! 🙂

Once I started using this scheduling system as opposed to manually setting up calls the conversations I’m having are with people who are showing up a lot more committed without noticeably affecting the number of conversations I’m having. This may naturally have coincided with my progression as a coach but the automatic reminder emails that go out 24 hours before an appointment certainly helps.

This system allows you to set up potential session times to offer as available times to book. If you use either outlook or google calendars this system can integrate with that so that appointments showing as an option will only appear if there is space in your schedule – if you add something else into your outlook/google calendar then time trade will adjust what is shown as available. It will also automatically add any booked appointments straight into your google/outlook calender.

This system is available as both individual, team or corporation subscriptions. My guess would be that many coaches will be interested in the individual option which at the time of writing they are offering a 30 day free trial.

Visit Time Trade’s website here.

Missed Day 6? You can visit the last coaching resource here.

12 Days of Coaching Resources – Day 6 1

 in books / Resource  tagged business coach / business coaching / career coaching / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching content / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching session / coaching skills / coaching techniques / executive coach / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / performance coaching / personal development / resource / Stephen R Covey / The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness

As we reach the half way stage of our 12 days of coaching resource, day 6 is:

“The 8th Habit: From effectiveness to greatness” by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey is perhaps best known for his international best seller originally published in 1989, “The 7 habits of highly effective people.” As you may have surmised from the title the 8th habit builds upon the foundation of the 7 habits.

It could be easy to say that this book focuses mainly on teams, leadership and business. However, the underlying message is about realising and unlocking the greatness within ourselves and others. A message that could also appeal to coaches who don’t specialise in business coaching.

The book is split into 2 sections:

  • Find your voice
  • Inspire others to find their voice

and also contains detailed appendices and notes section.

Personally, I think that the written style is not as conversational as some authors, yet it does include many anecdotes and examples. Given the focus of the book and the written style I suspect that the author had a managerial and business audience in mind whilst writing this book.

Some will find the style either too dry or long-winded to read from start to finish. Others will find that they discover some great insights.

It’s not the shortest book ever produced (the hardback edition on my bookshelf is around 400 pages.) It is also slightly more involved then the 7 habits book. It is possible to get editions of this book that contains a bonus dvd containing 16 inspirational companion films to illustrate points being made throughout the book.

You can find the book on Amazon UK, or Amazon.com

Missed Day 5’s coaching resource, visit here.