Coaching is a 1:1 developmental conversation between a coach and a coachee which supports the coachee to explore and gain clarity on their issue or goal and to identify actions that will enable them to achieve to move closer to achieving their goal.

A coach asks thought-provoking and challenging questions, listens and provides feedback to the coachee in a non-judgmental way. This enables the coachee to gain a better understanding of their goal or issue, to explore possible options to achieve the goal and to identify actions that they commit to take.

A coach will not advise the coachee what to do but supports them to reach a solution that is right for them.

All staff can apply for coaching from one of our internal coaches, you will need to complete an application and have this supported by your manager. Your application is then submitted to OD and one of the team will give you a call to discuss your coaching goal in more detail to ensure that coaching is appropriate.

If coaching is not appropriate another form of development will be suggested.

If coaching is appropriate an internal coach will be assigned and introduced by email. The coach will then make contact and arrange an introductory meeting. This is not a coaching session but chance to:

• meet and for them to explain what coaching is in more detail if you have not received coaching previously,
• to discuss your coaching goal,
• to clarify what is expected of you and what you can expect of them,
• for the coach to explain the coaching contract and supporting code of ethics,
• for you both decide whether you are happy to proceed with the coaching together.

Assuming you agree to work together you will then agree the frequency and practicalities of the coaching sessions.

After you have both agreed a contract when you first start coaching you will commence work on your goals. Your coach will ask what you want to work on at the start of each session and will use coaching questions, tools and techniques to help you to understand your goal or issue in more detail and from different perspectives. You will explore possible options and identify actions that enable you to achieve your goal.

You can expect to finish each session by agreeing actions that you will take prior to the next coaching session. You are accountable for achieving these actions.

See "Is coaching for me" above.

Specific features and benefits of coaching include:

• Improving specific skills and knowledge through discussion, reflection and action.
• Having a flexible and personalised approach to learning where the coachee sets their own goals and direction and the coach helps them to achieve these goals.
• Increased confidence, versatility and effectiveness, particularly in times of uncertainty and change.
• Having the time and space to explore a range of options and perspectives, so that the coachee can make more informed decisions.
• Having access to an independent ‘sounding board’ when dealing with complex situations.
• Improving individual performance which benefit the wider team and the University.

See "Is coaching for me" above.

Yes, absolutely! All discussions between the coach and coachee are strictly confidential and will only be repeated with the consent of both parties. The coach does, however, reserve the right to challenge and report unethical or immoral activities.

Once your coaching sessions have concluded you will be approached by OD for feedback on your experience and what changes you have made as a result of the coaching however you will not be asked for any details of the actual coaching conversations.

OD will match you with an appropriate coach and ensure, prior to introducing you, that there are no conflicts of interest, i.e. that they are not in your team or management hierarchy, that they do not work closely with you in another capacity and that you are not friends or family.

It is important that you can both develop affinity and level of trust together and if, after the introductory meeting, you feel that you could not work with the appointed coach you can request an alternative coach. (NB. OD will appoint up to one alternative coach.)

It may be that you do know your coach in some capacity given the size of the University, however, conflicts of interest will be avoided. See response to Who chooses my coach?

Yes, if you have a particular preference on the gender of your coach we will accommodate this as far as possible.

No, your coach will be appointed by OD so that coaching hours can be apportioned fairly and avoid overloading any individuals.

Coaching enables the coachee to identify solutions and actions that are right for them. A coach does not provide solutions or teach the coachee what to do. A coach will ask thought provoking questions, listen actively and offer feedback that allows the coachee to explore their issue from different perspectives, gain clarity and generate actions that they commit to take.

If you do want someone who can provide advice and share their own experience and expertise you would be advised to seek a mentor.

There are many similarities in approach between coaching and mentoring however, coaching is a ‘non-directive’ form of development and the coach may not have personal experience or expertise in the issue or goal that you wish to work on. A coach may offer some suggestions but will not advice or teach you what to do, they will help you to work out a solution that is right for you.

A mentor, on the other hand, is someone who does have personal experience or expertise in your goal and can share their experiences with you and may offer advice or guidance.

In addition, coaching is a more focused form of development and is usually concluded within a few sessions over a period of months. Mentoring is often a much longer relationship which can last several years.

This depends on your development goal. Your coach will recommend an appropriate number of sessions when you first start working together as part of the contracting. This may be as few as two or up to six or more.

OD can broker coaching with an external coach however, you will need to have funding approved by your department or division first. Contact OD for details of external coaching.

All staff can apply. OD will aim to match all staff who apply assuming that coaching is the most appropriate form of development and an internal coach is available.

OD will aim to match everyone with a coach however, internal coaches can only offer a finite number of hours per year alongside their day job.

Yes, your application will be considered in line with other requests at that time.