What to expect from one-to-one coaching
Questions and discovery, not advice. The client brings the topic and sets the direction; the coach's questions and observations help bring thinking into focus.
The Opal Lens approach
Every session starts with the client and what they bring to it. There’s no prepared agenda, no toolkit waiting for them, no advice on what worked for someone else. Just a focused, confidential space for them to think - and work out what they want to do about it.
Example themes coaching can focus on
Confidence and self belief
Quietening the critical doubting voice and learning to trust their own judgement and expand their capabilities.
Performance and efficiency
Unlocking motivation and discipline, and reducing procrastination to increase their efficiency.
Career direction and transitions
Getting clarity on what they want and finding a path that feels right – the steps to take and the challenges that need to be overcome.
Calming overwhelm
Slowing down and unpicking everything that is going on to be able to make sense of it and prioritise the load.
Resilience
Understanding how they respond when things get tough and building their capacity.
Leadership and relationships
Understanding how they lead, communicate and collaborate, the impact it has on other people and how it can be done better.
Clarity on decisions and issues
Getting to the bottom of what they really think and feel about something in order to ask the right questions or make the right decision.
Self awareness and personal drivers
Gaining awareness of what motivates them, who they want to be, what holds them back and what to tell themselves to unlock what they want.
What actually happens in a coaching session?
Every session is different because every person is different, but there’s a shape to how we work together
The client brings the topic and the objective
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Each session starts with something the client wants to think about or change. There’s no predefined agenda - they set the direction. We’ll try to define exactly what they want to achieve or be different by the time we finish our session. Think of it as an agenda or a target KPI.
We go under the surface
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We explore what’s really at the heart of the issue - the beliefs, fears, patterns and stories that shape how they’re thinking and behaving and the impact they have.
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They find their own answers
We’ll work through what they can do to overcome what is holding them back and transform how they think, feel and behave. The insights they reach and the solutions they find are entirely their own - which is why they are more likely to stick.
They leave motivated to act
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Each session ends with the intention of setting them up for success after it’s finished. We recap on key takeaways, new learnings, actions and a commitment to act.
Frequently asked questions
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Each session is approximately 50 minutes. Longer sessions available on request.
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Sessions are online via video call. In person coaching also available on request.
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Confidentiality is fundamental to how I work. Everything discussed in the sessions stays between coach and client, unless otherwise agreed.
If any information is to be shared with anyone else, the exact scope of that must be agreed at the beginning of the relationship. Nothing will be shared without the client’s knowledge and consent.
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We are equals in the conversation - neither is in charge or more important than the other.
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There will be long pauses. That’s nothing to worry about, they’re deliberate. The best, most valuable thinking often happens when we think we’ve finished, and we don’t often get the chance to go that bit further.
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The number of sessions is entirely dependent on the client and the goal.
Sessions are available on the following basis:
Single - A one - off session for a specific topic or challenge. Also a way of getting a taste of coaching and if it’s the right approach.
Bundles of 4, 6 or 8 - A programme for sustained focus, building momentum and muscle. Recommended for most people.
Retainer - Ongoing coaching for continuous development. Based on time per month which can be used across multiple people.
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Frequency of sessions is based on client and goal. Sessions can be scheduled:
Weekly - Intensive coaching, best suited for urgent goals.
Fortnightly - Recommended for most people. Provides enough momentum to do the work between sessions and space for personal development.
Monthly - Coaching more reliant on the client committing to continue the work between sessions and embracing a test and learn approach.
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Bespoke pricing per client based on requirements. Pricing proposals to be shared after confirmation of details.
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The focus of a session is usually defined by the client (the individual), however this can be set by the agency based on the client’s objectives, etc. If this approach is taken, it should be agreed at the outset between all parties.
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The sharing of a coach’s experiences is not normally permitted in coaching, however it can be included if agreed upon at the outset so the scope is clear and mutually understood.