CURIOUS HOW COACHING CAN HELP?

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT COACH FOR YOU?

Allison Wolf Coaching

YOUR GOALS: Where you are now? And where do you want to go?

REALITY CHECK: I’ll provide you with unbiased and straightforward feedback based about your situation and the challenges you are facing and the options and actions that are there for you to take.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE: Leave the call feeling positive and motivated with increased clarity about your situation and with steps to implement.

OBLIGATION FREE: I offer these free sessions because the only way to learn about coaching and to choose the right coach for you is to experience a coaching session. It also gives me a chance to learn how I can help.

The truth is everyone I meet with for a free session leaves with an enhanced sense of optimism and with greater clarity. It is always time well spent.

SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY CALL

HOW COACHING WORKS

More than anything, coaching is about creating space and time amid the busy flow of life for deep thinking followed by action. As a coach I help hold this space for my clients, promote their inner discovery, and encourage goal setting, planning and action. Coaching is about learning in doing. It is about imagining what is possible, charting the course forward and discovering from the journey.

Coaching happens in conversation. Coach and client meet, and through the vehicle of powerful conversations, complex ideas and situations are explored, goals are set, action is planned, and valuable feedback is given. The foundation of the relationship between client and coach is trust. Both parties must feel they may speak freely and in the security of absolute confidentiality.

Coaching supports the development of new skills and improved performance in areas related to business development, professional development, leadership, client relations, strategic planning, client teams and practice group management. My clients appreciate the confidentiality and the respectful and attentive support that coaching provides.

Some examples from my practice include:

  • Working with lawyers to manage the challenges of pre-partnership years and attaining partnership.

  • Helping lawyers develop their rainmaking skills to expand their practices and bring in more interesting and fulfilling work.

  • Coaching lawyers to get back in control when they find themselves struggling with challenges such as time management, organization and procrastination.

  • Coaching lawyers on career decisions and professional development.

  • Coaching works best when a client is motivated and working towards something. I will only work with a client if I am confident that coaching will be valuable for them to develop professionally.

Coaching lawyers

WHEN TO USE A COACH?

Mid-Career Lawyers

Are you a mid-career lawyer? A senior associate or junior partner? These are times of growth and opportunity. They are also when many of my clients are starting families. Coaching can help you maintain focus on your priorities and continue to advance these amid the day-to-day pressures.

My clients’ goals fall into four broad areas: practice management, business development; career development; and leadership.

For example, you may wish to work with a coach to:

  • progress towards income or equity partnership
  • hone your rainmaking skills
  • become more efficient and productive at work
  • develop your leadership skills – delegation, mentorship, and teamwork
  • plan and take action to grow your legal practice
  • make a successful transition to more fulfilling work
  • have a thinking partner to bounce ideas off – confidentially – and hold you accountable

Coaching is valuable because of the forum it provides to discuss opportunities and challenges — completely supportive, 100% focused on your needs, and entirely confidential.

As one client recently commented: “I appreciate the way Allison can pick up on what’s bothering me and allow me to let it out. In law, we’re so restricted in terms of confidentiality, so it helps to be able to talk to someone.”

Senior Lawyers and Law Firm Founders

Are you a senior lawyer or the founder of a law firm?

As a senior lawyer, you may have successfully established a busy legal practice that has grown beyond your capacity to serve it. In some cases, a change in the make-up of your team has left you short-staffed, or it may be that you have been mostly going it alone.

You might be thinking about dialing back your practicing or transitioning to another related area of work. You are aware that it is time to make a change, and you are seeking coach support in gaining clarity on the change and how to carry it out.

As a senior lawyer you may also be wondering ‘what’s next?” Having grown your practice, built a client base and more, you may be feeling slightly adrift. Coaching can help you to explore this question and get recharged and refocused on new meaningful pursuits.

For law firm founders, launching and growing a law firm can be enormously rewarding and comes with many challenges. You are an entrepreneur and a lawyer. You balance the demands of leading the business and practicing law. In my work with law firm founders, we might discuss recruitment, business development, finances, and leadership all in one coaching session. More than anything, you need a thinking partner to help you strategically and swiftly navigate the challenges, make decisions, and plan practical steps forward. As your coach, I can be a confidential and trustworthy sounding board who will provide honest feedback and hold you accountable.

“Allison helps me work through the challenges of leading my growing firm. She provides guidance on leading the team, growing the practice, managing the clients and more. She also connects me with other advisors and resources as I need them. We meet twice a month and each time I have an agenda ready of the many points for us to discuss. I always come away with my questions answered and a plan to carry out.”

– Founder of a California employment law firm

Confidentiality

Confidentiality in the client-coach relationship is paramount. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) I am a signatory to their ethical requirements including the obligation of confidentiality. You can learn more about the ethical obligations of ICF Certified Coaches on their website.

client-coach confidentiality

Time Commitment

What is the recommended duration for a coaching engagement?

I tailor the coaching program to the individual needs of the client. Clients meet with me for 60, 75, or 90-minute sessions once or twice a month and, in some instances, weekly.

I am also in touch with clients between sessions by email, a messaging app, and communication through my private client portal.

In most cases, I contract with clients for an initial three-month engagement. This is generally the minimum amount of time needed for a client to achieve their objectives for coaching.

Many of my clients choose to continue with coaching for six months or more.

Some clients have attained the results they were after in just a few sessions. Others have continued coaching for years as they have greatly appreciated the ongoing support and benefits of coaching.

The bottom line? My clients are in the driver’s seat. In my coaching practice, I support my clients when and as often as they choose.

CASE STUDIES

WHO’S IT FOR AND WHAT TO EXPECT

The results of coaching arise from the effort and focus clients give the coaching process by setting goals, observing, planning, taking action, trying out new ideas and approaches and most importantly, learning throughout.

TACKLING PROCRASTINATION

John tackled his procrastination habit head-on, uncovered the fears that were holding him back, and implemented new habits for working more effectively.

LAW FIRM ENVIRONMENTS

Justin made his escape from a toxic work environment and crushing hours at an international law firm to a rewarding practice in a regional firm.

FINDING BALANCE

After many years chained to a litigation practice that drained her, Jennifer accessed the courage to successfully step 100% into her mediation and adjudication practice.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Carl polished his business development skills and habits, created a plan, and brought in enough work to propel him into an equity partnership.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In one year Jennifer converted a dog file into a new opportunity and successfully landed a massive client, won a prestigious award and was invited into the partnership.

CAREER COACHING

Candice received assistance in preparing for an interview for her dream job as the GC of a large organization. With Allison’s help she prepared a presentation, developed her key messages and questions, and practiced her delivery. The result? Candice was awarded the job after only two interviews.

TESTIMONIALS

WHO’S IT FOR AND WHAT TO EXPECT

“I started (and most importantly, stuck with!) a personalized professional development plan that works for me. Making a plan, and continuing to put that plan into place. Without question, coaching helped shape the direction of my practice, and shifted my approach to client development.”

“The result has been a remarkable increase in my efficiency and productivity. This in turn has given me the confidence that I am in control of my career, a perspective I did not have prior to working with Allison.”

“I am currently working on becoming self-sufficient in my business development. My approach is noticeably different. Having someone who knows more about marketing, targeting people, and how to approach people has been helpful. I’m learning how to do this from my “authentic self”.

“Coaching has ensured that I prioritize my time to focus on tasks that support my career goals.”

“As a result of the coaching I’ve noticed I’m better able to work with and delegate to staff.”

“I am approaching practice development in a completely different way than I ever have before.”

Are you curious to learn more about coaching?

Contact me to find out more about my coaching program and how it can help you achieve your goals.
Contact Allison