coaching faq

Questions and Answers About Coaching

Thanks for checking us out. We know that there is a plethora of coaching services out there so we appreciate the time you are taking to find out more about the services we offer.

We’ve put together the following Q&A’s to help you get answers quickly to common questions people have about coaching.

Is coaching the same as goal setting?

This really depends on the coach you choose to work with and their background. Some coaches see themselves purely as helping clients achieve what they want.

The type of coaching we offer ultimately goes beyond achieving goals. Using our expertise in the discipline of human behaviour, we help “iron out the knots” so to speak, which includes facilitating generative changes across multiple aspects. Ultimately, our coaching results in helping you discover and implement more effective thinking and behaviour patterns. This not only helps you achieve your outcomes in the context you sought coaching, but enables you to apply your new skills and understanding in multiple aspects of your life.

Who do you coach?

We work with individuals who are genuinely interested in progressing in life. Most of our clients are professionals between the ages of 30-50. We have also worked with entrepreneurially minded individuals as young as 19 and innovative thinkers in their 50s.

We also work with companies that engage us to work with their staff.

What can I expect from coaching?

You can expect to be engaged, nurtured, inspired, challenged, even provoked to action if necessary. We don't just sit there talking about problems, we orient you towards making effective changes and getting specific outcomes. Our style is flexible and we consult with you prior to the start of any coaching program on what would suit you.

What are your specific areas of coaching?

Career Foundations is a career counselling program to help you discover careers you may be suited to.

Career Creators is for individuals interested in starting their own business or entrepreneurial project as their next career move.

Career Coaching helps you take active steps in planning and preparing yourself for a career advancement.

Business Coaching is a combination of coaching and consulting to help you develop your business.

Personal Coaching/Life Coaching – If you’re feeling somewhat stuck or going through a period of change, Clever Fox’s Life Coaching can help you move forward, put meaning back into your life, and get you on the right track again.

Is Coaching For Me?

Here are some key points that will help you determine if you are suited to coaching:

1. You are coming out of your own free will.

If you are calling on behalf of someone else, we will be happy to answer your questions, however, we will request that the person who will be undertaking the coaching contact us directly.

2. You are willing to take responsibility for your behaviours, actions and ensuing results. Your coach is someone who assists you in moving forward, however, we cannot live your life for you. We orient you towards effective outcomes and facilitate the process of helping you get there. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make the changes happen.

3. Coaching is not counselling or therapy. To truly benefit from coaching, you’ve got to be flexible to new approaches, be prepared to gain fresh insights and feedback, and be willing to test out changes.

4. Coaching is not suitable for people expecting the coach to “instruct” them what to do rather than be facilitated in discovering solutions for themselves.

Who will I be working with?

Kathleen Alexander is Clever Fox’s principal coach. She is also the founder of Clever Fox. To find out more about her background and professional experience, please read Meet Kathleen.

How much does coaching cost?

The cost of a coaching program depends on several factors namely what program you select and the number of contact hours. We have a sliding scale - the longer the program, the less the coaching rate per session.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Clever Fox is one of only a few coaching services that offers clients the choice to pay upfront in a lump sum or utlise a direct debit payment plan which enables the client to pay for their coaching program over several months.  Please contact us on (03) 8682 9776 for details.

Can I speak to Kathleen before commencing coaching?

Absolutely. We recommend you schedule an initial chat to discuss your coaching outcomes and ask Kathleen any questions you may have about coaching. If both parties decide that coaching is appropriate, we’ll schedule your first session.

Is coaching conducted face to face or over the telephone?

If you live in Melbourne, we meet face-to-face at ourconveniently located premises on Lonsdale Street for your coaching session. If you live elsewhere, we coach you over the telephone or Skype. We have worked with clients in all states across Australia, delivering effective outcomes each time.

Can I combine coaching with any of your other services?

In addition to the various coaching programs, we offer specialised services including behavioural assessments, professional resume writing service and interview training which you can always add on to your particular coaching program.

Do you guarantee results?

Yes and no.

Let me explain. Coaching isn't a procedure where the coach "does" something to the client. It is a process where at least two parties (coach and client) are involved in the outcome.

Let me illustrate it this way. It is not a well formed outcome for a troubled couple seeing a marriage counselor to ask for guarantees that they will stay together. The counselor can help them, guide them, open up conversations and provide pathways for growth, but it is up to the couple themselves to implement the changes.

If a person wanted to lose weight, it is not enough to see a personal trainer for an hour a week and expect a total body transformation. They would have to change a range of patterns themselves - from modifying their social behaviors, what they eat and drink to activities they undertake and change their lifestyle.

Similarly in coaching, both you and I must do our part to get the desired results. On my part, I offer the following guarantees:

• I will provide you with one-on-one personalised attention
• I will offer you customised solutions for your particular needs
• I will be flexible in my approach in working with you
• During our coaching sessions, I will focus 100% on you and your needs
• Where relevant, I will provide you with exercise and tasks to assist you

Isn't coaching hyped up?

The personal development world has its share of hype as well as its share of grounded, outcomes based coaching. Our personal style isn't "rah rah". We have been trained by renowned authorities in the field of NLP and human behaviour. We use our finely honed skills to help our clients get ecological changes that are congruent with their values and personal outcomes.

What are your terms of service for coaching?

Read our terms of service prior to commencing coaching.