Frequently Asked Questions
What is your process for working with new clients?
Typically, I receive an inquiry about my services from an HR manager, a hiring manager, or a potential client. We set up a time to chat by phone so that I can learn about the background, needs, and objectives. If we feel that I am a good fit for their needs, we set up a time for a meeting between myself and the potential coachee.
What does the potential client meeting consist of?
During the call with a potential client, I ask about the individual’s perspective on the feedback they have received, their objectives, and their language and communication background. I ask them to share any information that would help me understand what they want to achieve, and anything that could be holding them back. The goal of the meeting is to determine the precise objectives that would guide the coaching and the methods and approach we would take.
Do you perform a linguistic assessment for a potential new client?
Depending on the situation and the objectives of the coaching, I will sometimes perform a linguistic assessment. This could be an oral assessment if one of the objectives is related to accent/pronunciation, or a written assessment based on submitted writing samples if an objective is related to writing or grammar. This is most common if the new client is a second-language speaker of English.
What is the time commitment of communication coaching?
I work with very busy professionals and am aware that their time is limited; however, I do stress that coaching is a commitment and it’s important to dedicate some time to not only the weekly sessions but also activities that reinforce the learning outside of our sessions. This makes the coaching investment more valuable. I would estimate that for each hour of coaching time, the client should count on completing an additional hour or two of homework and reflection time, but often this is highly related to what they are already doing at work.
What is the next step after the consultation phase?
Once we determine that the potential client and I are a good fit and they are interested in coaching, the person who contacted me will typically request a proposal. In the proposal, I summarize the background and outline the objectives, methodology, time frame, logistics, and cost of materials and coaching.
How long does coaching last?
All my coaching solutions are custom-designed, but typically I meet with a client for an hour a week for several weeks, most commonly 6 to 8 weeks. Meeting weekly allows my client the time to complete challenges, practice skills, reflect, and deepen their awareness of how they can reach their goals.
What is coaching like?
During each session, we work toward the objectives in a systematic way through instruction, discussion, exercises, and activities aimed at creating a realistic simulation of the communication context that individual faces in their work life. I assign homework and reflection activities for the week at the end of each session. Coaching sessions are a place where a client can make discoveries about their learning process, and assess how they can leverage their strengths or make adjustments that are more in alignment with how they want to perform to achieve their professional goals.