MetaView Consulting & Coaching

Our Approach and Philosophy

There are many ways of consulting with organizations and coaching people. At MetaView Consulting and Coaching we strongly believe in the results achieved through the “Co-Active” Method. This leaves the client in charge of the areas of focus, and acting on their own issues. We are there to support the clients' specific goals through shaping the processes that help address situations from new perspectives and with new tools. As appropriate, we also draw upon our professional and personal experience to offer insight. Our consulting approach is outlined on the c onsulting webpage. However, as coaching is a relatively new field, we hear many questions about how it is done.

Common Coaching Questions:

How do coaching engagements get started? Coaching involves the creation of a customized alliance. It generally starts with an in-depth two-hour session that establishes much of the foundation. Prior to this, there is often a complimentary phone session to determine whether there is sufficient grounds for a partnership.

How is coaching generally conducted? We conduct our coaching over the phone or at our offices in Arlington Center in Massachusetts. Sessions are scheduled at regular intervals, generally 3 times per month. The client calls the coach at the scheduled time, or visits the office. Each session will last 30 to 45 minutes depending upon our agreement.

What if I need to touch base between coaching sessions? As part of having a coach on a monthly retainer, clients can leave messages via phone or e-mail between calls and engage in a timely exchange prior to the scheduled session. Typically, these calls are rather limited yet they at times are very important, and are part of the monthly fee.

How long before I can achieve results? Although value from the coaching generally occurs in each session, via exercises and reflection between sessions, it generally takes about six months to achieve lasting results coming from significant changes in approach.

Do some coaches get results for their clients faster than others? Working with a coach is a shared responsibility. It turns out that most of the pacing is set by the client in the form of work done between sessions and their readiness to embrace new perspectives and approaches. It is critical that the clients ask for what they want and surface what is working and not working in the coaching partnership. The coach is committed to be unconditionally constructive and to challenge the client to pursue what is important to them.

My company will be paying for the coaching. Do we discuss any non-work related issues? It has been established that for better or for worse human beings cannot completely tune out issues that may originate in a different part of their life. Since our work productivity is very much impacted by non-work issues, it is in the interest of the company and the employee to get help dealing with pressing personal issues. Therefore, coaching often addresses non-work issues that impact the client's ability to be focused at work.

I am afraid that coaching requires real hard work. I don't know if I have the time or energy for it. We find that most people when working in a coaching relationship built upon trust are energized by the process. People are "ready" for coaching when they are open to examining old behaviors and beliefs, are open to new insight, and are interested in achieving key goals.

Is it true that coaching is a form of therapy or cheerleading? If it were, we certainly are not dressed appropriately. Therapy generally explores history and why we do certain things. It often involves diagnosing what is wrong and fixing that. Coaching is aimed more at the present and future. It recognizes our historic resourcefulness with a goal of forwarding our action and deepening our learning so we can more easily address future situations. Coaches acknowledge their clients for the tough work in which they engage. Unlike cheerleaders, we do this with little fanfare or physical effort.

What Preparation is Needed for a Coaching Individual Session? The most important preparation for a session is to be open and prepared to participate fully. Sessions should be free of distractions. The client drives the agenda for the call and often has worked on a mutually agreed upon "assignment" from the previous session. Some clients feel it speeds their progress by e-mailing the coach with thoughts ahead of time.

What can you do to address my concerns about confidentiality? It is critical that coaches treat all information discussed between client and coach as confidential. The coaching relationship is built upon trust. That is one of the pillars of the International Coaching Federation's code of conduct.

If you have any additional questions, or would like to "try out" coaching with a no pressure complimentary phone session, please contact us.