Question 1

What is coaching?

Accepted Answer

Business coaching is a hybrid profession informed by related disciplines including coaching, psychology, organizational development, management science and consulting, human resource management, ethics, applied theology, adult learning and training and development. It is an action oriented and forward moving process.

Coaching is for people who want more from their personal and professional lives. A coach supports clients in creating goals, developing strategies to achieve them, and provide support throughout the process.

Similar to having a personal trainer or an athletic coach, coaching is transformational. The achievement of goals is something that comes more quickly as a result of the coach and client partnership.

Question 2

How does the coaching relationship begin?

Accepted Answer

We will start with with a call or video conference to get to know each other – also known as a consultation or strategy session. I will want to hear about your goals, needs, and challenges. You can ask me questions about my background, my approach or style of coaching, and if you're new to coaching, about professional coaching in general.

Once we say YES to working with each other, our coaching relationship begins with reviewing your completed Intake Form during our initial meetings/calls. We create a game plan together and we immediately start talking about any potential obstacles that are getting in your way.

Question 3

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is for you if you are ready for real change — whether it's a change in effectiveness, a change in your quality of life, or a change in direction for your career, organization, or business.

I work with both men and women who are action and outcome-oriented, and ready to accept full responsibility for affecting the outcomes they desire.

I specialize in coaching successful professionals, top-level executives, managers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and critical thinkers.

Question 4

How will coaching make a difference?

Accepted Answer

Coaching works and can make a difference in your life because of three aspects that make it a successful process:

Structure: You move into action, think bigger, and get the job done, thanks to the accountability you experience in working with me as your coach.
Synergy: We will work together as a team and form a partnership, focusing on your specific goals and needs, and supporting you as the client in accomplishing more than you would alone.
Expertise: As a tenured coach with 19 years of of experience, I know how to help business people like you make better decisions, set the best goals, develop new skills for communicating, and restructure your professional and personal life for maximum productivity and fulfillment.

Question 5

How do I determine that you are the right coach for me?

Accepted Answer

I offer a complimentary 30-minute telephone consultation and coaching strategy session so we can get to know each other.  It provide you the opportunity to ask questions while we both assess the chemistry between us.

The most important quality of your experience with me is that you feel comfortable. Knowing that our conversations are confidential, it's my intention to put people at ease so you can be completely candid with me. I'm also not afraid to be honest and frank with you, and I will also “hold your feet to the fire” when you need to stay on track.

I understand the subtleties of human and organizational behavior. You can expect that I will ask insightful and provocative questions and will be looking for opportunities to "stretch" you in various ways using my intuition to know just how much. Coaching is a journey that doesn't allow you to stay in your comfort zone since the purpose is to expand, develop, and grow.

Question 6

What are some outcomes I can expect from coaching?

Accepted Answer

Although results vary depending on the agenda of individual clients, outcomes include:

Greater self-awareness and clarity of purpose
Reduction in emotional blocks and self-sabotaging behavior
Improved inter-personal communication skills
Better time and task management, and organizational skills
More results-oriented planning and decision making
Increased income
Enhanced critical thinking abilities
Enhanced motivation and productivity
More balance between personal and professional endeavors
Improved relationships with direct reports, managers, peers, and clients
Greater overall fulfillment

What does that translate into:

You take yourself and what you want more seriously
You take more effective and focused actions immediately
You stop tolerating what gets in your way
You create momentum to achieve more, be more balanced and develop more powerful professional leadership skills
You set personal goals that are clear and meet your needs
You identify and eliminate the barriers that get in the way of achieving goals
You communicate what you need and want from others in a more responsible and effective way

Question 7

What are some examples of what leaders experience as a result of receiving coaching?

Accepted Answer

Because the coaching process is a neutral environment and is free from judgment. You are safe to question, appear vulnerable, observe, explore, experiment, and change through learning. As a result, many use coaching:

To reach high targets and quotas requiring you as a leader to work with your team to reach extraordinary goals
For training, developing and managing staff
For personal and professional goal-setting
To effectively integrate business and personal life for balance
To prioritize actions and projects
To turn around a difficult situation
To handle business or personal challenges

Question 8

How long does the coaching relationship last?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is tailored to address each person’s or company’s needs. A successful coaching process is usually for a period of six months or more.

The goal of coaching is to move forward expeditiously and an effective coach will support you to consistently optimize your performance. Once people experience that effectiveness, they often make an extended commitment to coaching.

Question 9

How much does it cost to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Fees for coaching are based on a variety of factors including:

The frequency of your coaching
The length of your coaching sessions
Whether sessions are in person or remote
Whether the coaching is part of a larger coaching contract
Whether it is 1-1 or group coaching to include several people or a team facilitated virtually or in person

Coaching for mid-level to high-level executives is often comparable to the investment you make for legal counsel. Many coaches charge an hourly fee or propose larger coaching packages and programs.

The consultation process will result in an agreed upon fee for the term of the coaching engagement we decide on. Payment plans may be available. This way you know the total cost of your coaching up front, before we begin.

Contact Alanna Levenson for the current coaching options and fee structure.

Question 10

How are coaching fees paid?

Accepted Answer

Fees are often paid by you directly or is sometimes sponsored by the company you work for. Payment is received in advance for each month’s coaching when fees are charged by the hour. Your payment entitles you to contact me between sessions (by email or phone) for help with specific issues. There is no extra charge for this service.

I invoice clients for the agreed upon number of sessions by email prior to each month of coaching. Fees are payable by credit card, Crypto or gold, and are paid in advance. If you choose to pay by credit card and you are engaging in a monthly program, you will be set up on an auto payment plan. You can discontinue at any time with a 30 days advance notice.

If a different type of engagement is agreed upon with a signed letter of engagement (LOE), the total fees will either be paid upfront or broken up into reasonable payments with a payment schedule clarified in the LOE.

Question 11

What is the typical cadence of sessions or how often do we meet?

Accepted Answer

Successful coaching is usually at least twice a month and often weekly for 30 minute – one hour sessions.

Should you want or require more intensive coaching, two-hour and three-hour sessions can be arranged.

Half-day or full day "shadowing” can also be provided in which I am with you as an observer in your interactions. This allows me to make job-specific recommendations on ways to improve your communication, management style, and work habits.

I can also facilitate workshops or meetings so you can be present as a participant and experience being a part of the dialogue in a different way.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions