Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a coach for my work or business?
Clients typically come to coaches when they need help with modifying aspects of their behaviors to become more productive, and after they’ve tried other ways to improve. It’s likely that a client would want to feel happier doing their work as well. Some people choose coaches to figure out career direction, too.
How should I choose the best coaching for me or someone else?
Choose a coach who has a deep understanding of the psychological principles that underlie behavior change. I understand that some people instead may prefer an industry expert such as a retired CEO who provides coaching. That’s a fine approach, of course, because the CEO-turned-coach has business experience that could be used to make decisions on specific business processes. The downside, however, is that managerial or executive experience while impressive is not a substitute for expertise in the complex psychological and emotional underpinnings of peoples’ behaviors at work.
Should I choose a consultant who has a significant amount of work experience as a leader in my field or industry?
As mentioned above, yes, if you need someone to consult to you on how to carry out specific strategies that only an experienced person in your field would understand. For instance, let’s say that you need to know how to negotiate the top five risks associated with one organization merging with another through an acquisition. In this example, it would be beneficial to hire a consultant or a former business executive who has done similar work many times and knows exactly what those risks are.
How long does coaching last?
A coaching engagement probably is going to last at least several months. Some people prefer to meet on an ongoing basis that lasts longer. Meeting only a few times won’t be very helpful. The main reason that coaching needs enough time is because human behavior changes slowly, particularly behaviors that involve repeated themes in a person’s life.
Why choose you (Matthew Siegel) over another coach?
Pick me if you’re interested in gaining, sustaining, and acting upon insights that are derived from my observations and experience in applying psychological principles involving such areas as cognitive errors, behavioral modification, emotion regulation, mindfulness, defense mechanisms, and unconsciously motivated action. I focus on behavior as it associates with fundamental psychological concepts that have a solid history of validity and reliability.
What kind of coaching schedule do you use?
If I had my preference, I’d meet with clients multiple times per week because the more often I can make observations and provide guidance, the more likely clients will integrate the learning. Behavior change requires repeated meetings to help counter an adult’s decades long manner of thinking, feeling, and acting in certain unhelpful ways. But, people lead busy lives. Therefore, the more likely schedule is meeting once or twice per week or meeting every other week. I encourage clients to practice what they learn in-between our appointments.