FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. There are many coaches and consultants available today – what makes you different?

A. Whether it’s with an individual or an organization, my experience, comprehensiveness, focus and the ability to support change from the inside out is why clients seek my services. Although quick fixes can be part of the solution, without a strong foundation, core strength, the client will return to well learned behaviors - old habits.

My approach includes finding ways of making today easier but ultimately supporting the evaluation of values that are the unconscious motives underlying our choices.

I have an ability to support change with the client (mind/body/spirit) within the context of their life (personal/professional/family) by evaluating and developing attitudes, behaviors and competencies (our ABCs).

Q. You place a heavy emphasis on assessments. Why?

A. Reliable validated assessments are the most objective, time and financially efficient, and effective method of a person or organization to come to self-understanding. And, self-understanding is the basis of making decisions on what type of change or development is necessary. The assessments I use, TTI (Target Training International) Managing for Success (MFS) suite, Success Insights, Trimetrix © and the Attribute Index which is supported by Innermetrix and The Hartmann Institute, meet the criteria for reliability, validity and comprehensiveness for selection, development and performance improvement.

Q. Is the information you learn about someone or an organization confidential.

A. Yes.

Q. How do I know if I need a personal coach?

A. Why do people get professional sport coaches? Usually because they can’t improve by doing the same thing over and over again. And as much as their friends try to tell them what to do differently, it just doesn’t work. There’s no system, everyone has an opinion – friends aren’t professionals. And, friends usually hold back if they think what they say will hurt our feelings.

The first time you hire a professional personal coach you’ll know the time is right when you see someone else’s success, you’re curious enough, or perhaps you’re just down right discouraged because changes that you’re making just don’t stick.

Once you have success with a personal coach you’ll no doubt use a personal coach again.

Q. What should I look for in a personal coach?

A. Coaching as a profession is relatively new even though you hear about it more frequently. And, as in other professions, there are differences in areas of experience and methods. No one size or coach fits all.

So, with that information in mind feel confident in interviewing your coach – how long have you been coaching, where trained, what is your area of interest, how long are your clients typically with you, what are your fees, do you have references. These are the same types of questions you would ask another professional.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, feel free to make a decision based not just on the good feeling you sometimes get from being coached, but perhaps the discernment you have with yourself. One question to ask is whether you want coaching just want to feel good or whether or not you want real change. Sometimes change comes with angst.

My bias is that even though you may be focusing on wanting change in one area (career perhaps) all areas (mind/body/spirit-personal/professional/family) are involved so I consider all those areas when interacting with a client or selecting a coach.

Q. How do I reach you?

A. You may reach me by telephone or e-mail. If your e-mail is not acknowledged within 48 hours, please write again or call as spam filters can keep out mail that should get through. Also, please use the subject line to include pertinent information such as Requesting Assessment Information, Coaching Question, Stress Question.

Telephone is 401-245-5848 and e-mail is Carol@DrGaffney.com

Q. How do you provide services?

A. Coaching is usually provided by telephone and assessments are available through using the Internet with immediate delivery of results. Train the trainer programs are held in-house, by telephone or by Web support which works well with a multi-national or multi-location company. Various types of consulting are determined based on the requirement of the job.

Q. What are your fees?

A. Each client’s needs are evaluated and individualized. This may seem like a cliché but I have many resources to draw upon and which resources are used, how they are delivered and the length of time of the project are all considered when fees are determined.