In coaching, we often focus on coaching those that opt into coaching for themselves: leaders who want to achieve more, high potentials to get to the next level, teams who want to fulfill their objectives. What about those people who are struggling and perhaps are on their way out the door? What can coaching possibly provide in these situations? Is the client “on board” or “sentenced” to the coaching experience? What are the expectations of the sponsor organization? Are they “checking off a box” or truly invested in helping the employee reach their potential through the coaching partnership? The concept of last chance coaching holds many nuances for us to consider. Let’s jump into this topic with today’s guest!
Diana Ideus is a Professional Certified Coach and a mentor coach who has been teaching since 2002. In 2015, she opened her business, Hawthorne Union, which provides coaching, consulting, and training to individuals and businesses to support innovation, growth, and development. She helps train coaches to provide individual, group, and mentor coaching and provides ICF continuing education. It’s the continuing education piece of Diana’s work that provides the framework for Last Chance Coaching.
Show Highlights:
- Diana’s background in education, and how she wanted to focus on life–not just education
- How she now works with entrepreneurs and business leaders and trains coaches
- The isolation in coaching, and the need for community and support
- How LinkedIn worked well for Diana in the Last Chance coaching field
- Why Diana started a coaches’ network in her area
- Last Chance coaching–the last resort before an employee is either terminated or removed from their role
- The client’s perspective in Last Chance coaching: the clock is ticking on them and they are being forced into the coach/client relationship
- Why Last Chance coaching can be controversial, but can still bring value
- How seeing Last Chance clients turn things around can be inspirational, but it must align with your values as a coach
- Why effective coaches can’t be strictly “fair weather” coaches
- How to “climb in the ring” with a Last Chance coaching client
- Holding the space for inspiration and development in clients
- The interesting journey for Diana and this developing niche
- How to deal with a client who will not engage
- How Last Chance coaching is establishing trust, intimacy, and communication at its finest
- Conditions in which you might not take on Last Chance coaching
- When the awareness and the “buy-in” are not progressing
- Cautions for coaches in the role you take on and the agreement you make with the organization
- How Last Chance coaching can be equated to trauma work
- Key takeaways: Last Chance coaching IS really a “thing,” and the key is to educate yourself as a coach in what you say YES/NO to
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