Coaching has been around for centuries. Yet only recently have we recognized its relevance to and impact on leadership development. AIM Coaching is a customized collaboration designed to support leaders in achieving outstanding results in business, while providing personal fulfillment. Here are a few frequently asked questions.

What is Coaching?
Leadership coaching is a partnership designed to enhance individuals’ knowledge and use of a specific set of skills; skills that enhance their ability to lead with excellence – personally and professionally. AIM Coaches work with leaders to identify and achieve goals that will produce remarkable results. AIM Coaches play many different roles to support and develop leaders amid the fast pace of business. AIM Coaches are trained to listen, observe and adapt to address leaders’ changing needs. We believe leaders are naturally creative and resourceful. AIM Coaches provide the support and resources to leverage these assets and maximize their effectiveness. Combining provocative questions with leading-edge resources, AIM Coaches facilitate leaders by: teaching and encouraging strategies for overcoming difficult situations; navigating conflict; communicating with clarity; and exploring new ideas, theories and approaches so our leaders continue to develop effective responses.

How does coaching work?
At AIM, we believe that leadership development is a comprehensive process. We work with leaders to:

1. Envision where they want to be
2. Assess where they are currently
3. Develop strategies to close the gap between their reality and their goals
4. Support them in achieving their vision (providing knowledge, tools, accountability, strategic thinking, etc.).

We will not tell your leaders how to get from point A to B. AIM coaching creates a fundamental shift in perspective so that leaders transform goals into results, lead with confidence, and create an outstanding future that meets organizational demands. Leaders are supported from start to finish. AIM Coaches create a safe environment for exploring and applying a growing leader’s full capabilities. We monitor calculated risks to develop new skills.

For whom is coaching appropriate?
AIM knows that every individual has unique capabilities which are frequently underutilized. Leaders committed to learning, serving and contributing even more to their organization and community thrive with AIM coaching. We customize solutions to the demands of your organization. Contact us to learn how your organization, teams and leaders will benefit from AIM coaching.

What are the different roles of a coach?
AIM Coaches support your leaders in diverse situations, difficult conversations and various roles. Each coaching collaboration is designed to maximize your leaders’ learning, thereby bolstering your organization’s strength and effectiveness.

Strategic Thought Partner: The authority, responsibility and “seniority” associated with leadership can be an isolating experience. AIM Coaches partner with leaders to navigate challenges and ask the tough questions in advance, so your leaders are better prepared and more aware of their own decision-making processes. Leaders turn to AIM as a think tank, sounding board and when necessary at times, a Reality Checker.

Advocate: So often in life, leaders are held apart in ways that can make them feel “left on an island”. AIM Coaches provide a valuable source of support, especially amid uncertain times.

Creator – Dreamer – Innovator – Believer: Creativity is critical to innovation, and at times, it can seem foreign or even scorned in corporate culture. AIM Coaches create structure for leaders looking to break down these barriers and explore new horizons.

Integrator and Actualizer: Execution is essential to transform Insight into Action. AIM Coaches support leaders who are strategically translating ideas into reality.

Accountability Agent: Amid tight budgets, busy schedules and fast-paced business demands, leadership development can fall prey to “important/urgent” short-term tasks. AIM Coaches respond to client requests by serving as commitment recorders, priority aligners, systems implementer (Using David Allen’s Getting things done strategies), and with special requests, drill sergeants.

Resource Library: Researching grounded, cutting-edge strategies to navigate workplace challenges takes time. AIM Coaches excel at providing tangible tools and focused leadership theory tailored to leaders’ pressing needs.

What are the logistics of Coaching?
Coaching is tailored to address each leader’s unique challenges. Generally, individuals serious determined to bring about change are asked to commit to a 6-month relationship that includes at least two conversations each month. Four months is the minimum amount of time necessary to bring about true, sustainable change. Together, we will create a coaching plan for achieving your goals that fits with the other commitments in your life.

Individuals also commit to between-work (rather than homework). Similar to physical fitness training, we will be stretching and building new your leadership “muscles” to become more effective. Between-work is fitness training for developing leadership skills. Using insights from AIM coaching conversations, customized between-work exercises are designed to support your leaders’ development in these areas. Examples of between-work may include readings, self-observations, or new practices.

Coaching is an energizing, iterative process. Having achieved their initial goals, clients are often eager to tackle new challenges and grow to the next level.

How does coaching differ from therapy, mentoring or consulting?

Coaching vs. Therapy: Psychotherapy relies on a medical model that is focused on the past and addresses a deficit or illness; thus, the goal is often to make an individual well. Coaching is future-oriented and promotes resilience, working with ambitious clients seeking to enhance their capabilities, achieve greater outcomes and explore new possibilities.

Coaching vs. Mentoring: Mentors are trusted advisors who guide clients by sharing wisdom gained through their experience. Coaches promote clients to learn by building on the client’s own successes, identifying solutions that are right for him/her, and thus empowering the client to generate strategies for future challenges.

Coaching vs. Consulting: Consultants offer expertise, advice or solutions typically focusing on the “what” of a situation. Coaches focus on the individual—the “who” of the situation.