strengths coaching - Marcus Buckingham

At TMBC, Strengths Coaching is a one-to-one interactive process between coach and client focused on
developing and leveraging clients’ unique strengths to increase the impact they have within their organizations.
TMBC’s coaching methodology is designed to engage each client in becoming a powerful and effective
leader by setting specific goals and creating action plans to help the client realize his or her unique potential.
STRENGTHS
COACHING

www.tmbc.com
STRENGTHS COACHING
WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
Individuals who want to take personal responsibility for becoming a more powerful contributor, manager
or leader. Many of our clients come to us from corporations that offer coaching to their executives or senior
managers.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
As part of the coaching enrollment process, clients are asked a series of questions to determine the
outcomes of the coaching and ascertain which coach would be the best fit for them. Once this initial
“coaching intake” is completed, a coach is assigned. Within 48 hours of assignment, the coach will make
an introductory call to the client and schedule the first coaching session.
STEPS:
STEP 1: ASSESS
In preparation for the first coaching session, clients are
asked to complete a comprehensive coaching questionnaire
with a series of self-reflective questions, touching on career/
coaching goals, challenges the client is currently experiencing
in the workplace, and development areas to focus on. This
questionnaire is designed to get people thinking about what
they want to create in their lives and help the coach understand
the client’s history and future goals.
In the first 90-minute coaching session, the coach asks a series
of clarifying questions about the information provided in the
questionnaire to drill down and determine any patterns of
behavior and belief structures that may limit the client’s success.
This conversation also involves defining the areas the client wants to
focus on and partnering to determine specific goals for the coaching
relationship. Once the client agrees and commits to these goals, he
or she immediately starts taking action to bring them to fruition.
STEP 2: ACT
Every 2 weeks, the coach and client meet by phone for a 45–minute coaching session. Prior to the session,
the client gives the coach a written update about the actions he or she has taken between calls, the learning
breakthroughs and successes experienced as a result of those actions, and any challenges that have
arisen. The client also provides the coach with a specific desired outcome for the upcoming session. This
information enables the coach to fully prepare before coming to the call, so that the session can be used
as efficiently as possible. TMBC’s coaching style is deliberately “freeform,” allowing us to meet the unique
needs of the client at any given time. Using situational challenges the client faces the week of the session is
the most powerful way to effect new approaches and strategies. Regardless of the content of any individual
session, the coach will help the client determine actions to move toward reaching his or her stated goals.
Copyright © 2009 by the Marcus Buckingham Company, LLC (TMBC)
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of TMBC is prohibited.

IN THE COACHING, WE FOCUS ON:
Teamwork and collaboration: building powerful strengths–
based teams and a healthy, collaborative work culture.
Powerful communication and influencing skills: motivating
others, using dialogue as a management tool, and being
able to persuade and negotiate more effectively.
Personal power: having a strong sense of self-confidence
and a deep knowledge that you have powerful and unique
strengths that you can leverage to make a greater impact.
Conflict management: being able to work with difficult
people and resolve differences to your satisfaction.
Building bonds: improving your ability to connect with
others and form strong relationships.
Initiative: overcoming procrastination and taking action.
Intentionality: thinking and acting “on purpose,” and in
deliberate congruence with your values, strengths and
who you are.
Resilience: handling adversity and setbacks.
Stress management: enhancing your ability to work under
stress and pressure.
Emotional self-control: keeping destructive emotions in check.
STEP 3: EVALUATE
There are two ways in which TMBC evaluates the impact of
the Strengths Coaching relationship:
PERSONAL ONGOING EVALUATION
Coaching is an ongoing learning process in which a client
is likely to experience many emotional and behavioral
breakthroughs. Coach and client continually evaluate the
results of the actions taken, change behaviors/strategies
when necessary, and identify how to apply what they have
learned to other areas of the client’s life.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
At appropriate intervals of the coaching relationship,
clients will be asked to complete a comprehensive survey
regarding their coaching experience with TMBC. They
will have the opportunity to provide both qualitative and
quantitative feedback on their Strengths Coach and the
results they have achieved as a result of the coaching. This
feedback will be used to track client progress and provide
feedback to the coach on how to better support each client.
Where appropriate, overall trends in the coaching will be
reported to TMBC.
TESTIMONIALS FROM TMBC
COACHING CLIENTS:
v “ My coach has listened extremely effectively
and has empowered me with her expertise,
loving support, laser strategies and questions
to make me a very confident, happy, enriched
human being and professional. I look forward to
another great year of partnering with her on my
life vision and dreams.”
v “You have helped take our company from a
little aspiring company to one of Sweden’s best
in our field. On top of that you have helped our
senior management team become vastly more
successful as leaders, managers and, not least,
individuals. I can’t say enough about the impact
you’ve had.”
v “At year end, I want to be sure that I thank my
coach for another great year. Her insights are
incredible. My whole understanding of how
’things‘ and ’I‘ work has changed for the better.”
v “My coach helped me engineer a job which
compliments my strengths while contributing
significant value to my partners, employees,
customers and suppliers.”
v “I have 5 precious sessions left. They have
empowered me to make an incredible shift in my
being. I feel like a novice, but I finally get it and
understand the meaning of personal power. She
is a fantastic coach. She is a star coach.”
v “Thanks for the incredible impact you have
on the world—working with you has been
tremendous. My life will never be the same after
everything I have learned about me. Watch out
world, here I come.”
v “ I finally get what my staff had been dealing
with—thank you.”
v “Thanks again for your wisdom. My coaching
with you is going so well—if it ended today it
would be worth much more than twice what I
have already paid.”
v “The rigor and discipline of my TMBC coach’s
teaching transferred a learning to me I will take
to my grave. As far as retirement, I hope to
work as long as I am able because my attitude is
invigorated with passion.”
Copyright © 2009 by the Marcus Buckingham Company, LLC (TMBC)
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of TMBC is prohibited.

www.tmbc.com
STRENGTHS COACHING
WHY TMBC?
Unlike traditional coaching models that focus on developing people’s weaknesses, TMBC’s approach emphasizes
that people’s “key areas of opportunity” are their strengths.
TMBC’s coaching model is based on the principle that all people have unique gifts that can be leveraged to
benefit their organizations. We work with leaders to help them shift their perspectives to focus on how they can
leverage their people’s strengths to create inspired, motivated and engaged teams.
TMBC coaches bring a unique combination of corporate experience, extensive education,
and strengths focus:
Seasoned professionals with over 10 years of corporate experience
ICF certified and certified in TMBC Strengths Programs
Minimum of 5 years of coaching experience
Demonstrated measurable success with corporate clients
This combination gives TMBC coaches the necessary perspective and experience to understand a wide variety of
work-related and personal issues.
3 months
(90-min) goal-setting session
(45-min) coaching sessions
COACHING
PACKAGES
(90-min) goal-setting session
(45-min) coaching sessions
$9,450
12 months
1 (90-min) goal-setting session
24 (45-min) sessions
Copyright © 2009 by the Marcus Buckingham Company, LLC (TMBC)
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of TMBC is prohibited.

FAQ:
How do you select my coach for me?
As part of the enrollment process, you will provide us with
information about yourself, your goals and what you want to
achieve from the coaching relationship. This information helps
us to determine which of our coaches will be a good match for
you based on their experience and coaching styles. All of our
coaches are highly trained and have worked with a number of
different people from a variety of backgrounds. They are skilled
professionals, able to match and mirror your communication
style and quickly ascertain, in partnership with you, how they
can support you in meeting your goals. In those extremely rare
circumstances when clients have felt as if they would like to have
a different coach, we have reassigned a new coach immediately
and monitored closely to ensure client satisfaction with new
assignments.
Why can’t I interview different coaches and select my own
coach?
Understandably, you want to feel that the coach you are partnered
with will serve your needs. If, at any time after your assignment,
you have a concern about your coach, we will immediately address
it. We are very experienced at coach-client assignments and can
quickly ascertain which coaches would be the best fit for you.
Clients typically feel very connected to their coaches by the end of
the first session, and proceed with a high level of confidence that
the coaching relationship will be successful. In those rare instances
in which clients feel as if they would like to be partnered with
someone different, we will reassign a new coach and repeat the
first coaching session with no charge to you.
What if I don’t like the coach I have? Can I switch coaches?
Absolutely. We are fully committed to ensuring that you have an
outstanding coaching experience, and we will do everything we
can to ensure your complete satisfaction. Typically, we request that
clients allow two coaching sessions to occur before they arrive at
the conclusion that the coach may not be a good fit, as it can take
a little time to build trust and rapport.
How many coaches do you have?
We have 10 coaches. We intentionally keep our coaching team
small and recruit only people who have demonstrated results with
clients.
How are coaching sessions scheduled?
Typically, individuals have three coaching sessions in the first
month (one 90-minute session and two 45-minute sessions) and
two coaching sessions every month thereafter for the duration
of the coaching engagement. Keeping a rhythm and momentum
in the coaching is important in creating ongoing focus and
accountability. There is a great deal of flexibility in when you
schedule. Our coaches are committed to your success, and will
work with you to determine the most appropriate schedule for
your needs.
What happens if I miss a coaching session?
Accountability is a very important component of the coaching
relationship. It is a commitment that you make to yourself,
your team and your coach. As an incentive for you to keep your
commitment to your coaching journey, our policy regarding
cancellations and missed sessions is very firm. If you miss or cancel
a session within 48 hours of the scheduled coaching call, it will
count as a ”completed” session. Coaches’ time is valuable, and
it can be difficult to reschedule a week’s session on short notice.
Coaches have the discretion to give you a pass in “emergencies”;
however, if they see a pattern emerging regarding missing/
cancelling sessions, they will have a direct conversation with you
to get everything back on track. Besides, we find that if you are
tempted to cancel, more often than not, you need the coaching
session!
Is everything between my coach and me kept confidential?
The coaching relationship is a confidential one. The information
you share with your coach will be kept private. In those
circumstances in which a company is sponsoring the coaching
engagement and is requesting feedback on the status/progress of
a coaching relationship, the information shared will be in “trend”
form and discussed in advance with the client so that he or she
is aware of what will be shared and has agreed to it. Specific
personal details are not shared.
What happens if I am not pleased with the results I get from
the coaching?
Throughout the course of the coaching relationship, you will be
continually tracking the results you get, discussing the impact of
the coaching with your coach, and applying a variety of different
strategies to see the results you want. Your coach will help you
set meaningful goals and hold you accountable to the action plan
you create together. Your coach cannot do the work for you. In
order for you to get the results you want, you will need to take
action and remain diligent with your commitments. If you stay
focused, you will see results.
You will have ample opportunity to provide feedback to TMBC
throughout the coaching engagement. If at any time you feel as
if the coaching relationship is not working, we encourage you to
have an open dialogue with your coach to create a more effective
relationship. TMBC also reaches out to you at different intervals
of the coaching engagement to ensure that you are having a
meaningful experience. If you are not satisfied with the coaching,
we will intervene and determine what steps we can take to
support your success.
Do you have any smaller coaching packages?
No. Coaching is not a one-off deal; it is an ongoing process. Its
impact is due in no small part to the structure of the coaching
relationship, which promotes ongoing learning, support and
personal accountability over time. In order to see results, you
must commit to a minimum of seven sessions over three months
to help you build momentum, keep focused and make personal
breakthroughs. Real change can only be achieved with time and
effort.
Copyright © 2009 by the Marcus Buckingham Company, LLC (TMBC)
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of TMBC is prohibited.

www.tmbc.com
STRENGTHS COACHING
FAQ:(CONTINUED)
How do I give feedback on my coaching experience?
After the second and the final sessions with your coach, you will be
sent a survey about your coaching experience. We encourage open
feedback. Should you have any questions about your coaching,
we will contact you directly. Although we encourage you to give
feedback directly to your coach, you will also be given a contact
number that you can call at any time if you want to discuss your
coaching engagement.
Can I have contact with my coach between sessions?
There is typically some e-mail correspondence with coaches
between sessions. As a rule, we keep this to a minimum to
bring some discipline and structure to the coaching experience.
That said, often coaches will set up e-mail check-ins or ask for
weekly updates, depending on the client and the nature of the
coaching relationship. In any case, your coach is fully committed to
supporting you and will do everything possible to help keep you
focused between sessions.
How do I re-enroll in coaching once I complete all of my
current coaching sessions?
Your coach will remind you a few sessions in advance when you
are nearing the end of your coaching engagement. You may feel
“ready to go” and may have achieved the results you set out to
achieve, or you may opt to keep working with your coach to help
you on your strengths path. TMBC will send you an e-mail before
the end of the engagement to give you the opportunity to reenroll.
Ninety-five percent of our clients re-enroll in an additional
coaching contract.
Can I get coaching in-person? Why is coaching all on the
phone?
Ninety-nine percent of all coaching occurs on the phone. This
methodology is highly impactful, convenient and focused. We do
have executive coaching engagements that kick off in person for a
full day of coaching/planning. This “immersion” approach can be a
very effective way for people to begin the coaching engagement.
For more information on structure and pricing, please contact
Clientrelations@tmbc.com.
What happens if I want my coach to work with someone on
my team?
This happens quite frequently. Typically, you would discuss your
situation with your coach/consultant at TMBC, so he or she can
understand the context of the request and ascertain how to best
structure the relationship to support all parties concerned. Once
we have reached a clear agreement on how to proceed and have
buy-in from all parties, the coaching relationship can commence.
Copyright © 2009 by the Marcus Buckingham Company, LLC (TMBC)
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of TMBC is prohibited.