Page 39 - CCCA 247020 Magazine Spring 2016

{ sPoTlIgHT on… }

“ Coaching is valuable any time someone

wants to make a change or improve on some

aspect of their professional or personal life.

For Kaplan, in addition to optimizing the ”
value and management of the law depart-
ment, some of the most common issues are:
■ Effciency and effectiveness on the
job—knowing “when to stop,” delegat-
ing, email triaging
■ Career planning—determining how to
improve or change the current situation
■ Interpersonal skills—giving and get-
ting feedback, communicating, man-
aging up and down
■ Time and resource management—or-
ganizing work projects, preparing pre-
sentations
■ Stress management
timing
Though less experienced in-house coun-
sel might not initially think about coach-
ing as a resource, Kaplan insists coaching
is valuable “any time someone wants to
make a change or improve on some as- Later in your career, a coach could help an initial session with Kaplan, coach and
pect of their professional or personal life, you defne different career goals and devel- client discuss the client’s strengths and
is taking on a new role, or is seeking a op new networks to give back to your pro- what’s most important to them to cre-
greater sense of fulfllment, even if they’re fession or society, and be motivated about ate specifc goals. A realistic timeline for
not yet sure what that means for them.” your work again. It can also help you ex- achieving those goals is also set early on.
Pommells adds that for in-house coun- plore your interests and skills to prepare for At the end of the day, your coach will
sel, “the goal is to become a strategic part- your personal career, namely, retirement. act as your personal guide, helping you
ner and trusted advisor to your internal navigate through professional obstacles
clients. This requires exploration, can- the First meeting and opportunities while focusing on what
dour and a way to track your progress— Once you’ve decided to move ahead with you really need, value and want. If clar-
all of which a coach can help you do. It’s a coach, what can you expect from the ity, deeper awareness and self-refection
never too early to start this kind of work!” frst meeting or two? Pommells’ Creative designed to help you achieve your goals
Coaching can also be a good tool along Choices™ process begins with a question- is what you’re looking for, coaching might
the way to ensure you’re on the right career naire that explores the client’s goals, values be the right tool for you. ❚
path. Focus is on where you are right now and challenges. Coach and client can then
and what it will take to advance or develop delve into the results in a safe and support-
new skills—or fnd another employment ive environment, and the relationship and Karen Sadler is the Marketing and Communications
Coordinator at the CCCA.
opportunity if the ft is no longer right. goal setting builds from there. Similarly, in

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