Coaching at TOSH with Helga Brandt

What is coaching and why would I need it?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as
“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize
their personal and professional potential.” (coachingfederation.org)

Being an artist / creative freelancer is certainly fulfilling, and yet it can also be lonely and disorienting
at times. We plan, we network, we co-work, but sometimes we need help to find our inner compass
again, to re-focus our attention, to explore whether we’re still on the right path – or whether the
path we’re on is still right for us. Because neither life nor careers are linear journeys; they tend to
throw us curve balls. We cannot plan for every eventuality – sometimes, our path changes, or WE
change.

Coaching can help us reflect, explore directions and re-focus our attention.

The basis of 1:1 coaching are structured, collaborative conversations that help someone move from where they are to where they want to be (The Coaching Academy). Coaching is solution-focused, results-orientated and forward-looking.

It is empowering, because coaching is based on trusting that we already know the answers and
solutions that work for us. The coach is there to provide a safe space for thinking and self-guided
learning. They listen, reflect and question to enable you to find your own way, your own solution.
Coaching can be compared to a lighthouse beacon – it doesn’t tell the ships where to go but it
illuminates the surroundings, so the ships can see their path more clearly.

I already have a mentor. Do I need a coach as well?
Coaching is part of a whole suite of supporting tools and approaches that can be useful at some
point or other, including, but not limited to mindfulness, training, mentoring or counselling/therapy.
It is applicable to both personal and professional development.

They are not mutually exclusive, either. It can be useful to work with a mentor and a coach at the
same time. Or we find different approaches helpful at different stages in our lives/careers.
Coaching is the least directive of these approaches.

The coach is there to hold space, to stay curious, and to enable free thinking, but ownership for the solutions reached lies with the person who is being coached (the “coachee”). A mentoring relationship is more directive as one of the objectives is for the mentee to learn and grow from the mentor’s experience and advice. At the opposite end of this spectrum, we can place consultancy, which is highly directive. A consultant is hired for their knowledge and expertise, and they are expected to provide solutions to the client.

The most important difference between coaching and counselling is that counselling is therapy and
will be provided by a trained mental health specialist. Counselling is exploratory and aimed at
helping clients to “gain a better understanding of your feelings and thought processes”
(https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-
counselling/counselling), often by exploring the past.

For a more detailed comparison of coaching, mentoring and counselling see
https://positivepsychology.com/coaching-mentoring-counseling

Coaching for Creatives – What’s the Offer?
I am a coach, jewellery maker and freelance arts marketing professional. I first encountered
coaching on a course about leadership skills in 2015 and have since been continually impressed by
how empowering the process can be. In 2021 I decided to make coaching part of my professional
portfolio and became an accredited Relational Dynamics 1 st Coach.

‍
As much as I believe in the power of coaching to help with personal and professional development, I
also know that committing to it can be a tough financial decision, especially for start-ups and early
career businesses. Therefore, I’m offering the community at TOSH affordable 1:1 coaching sessions
at £30 for 50 minutes this spring.

The sessions will be held Wednesdays from 10am in the small Meeting Room at The Old School
House. Currently available dates: 1 st & 15 th February; 15th & 29 th March.

To book, please visit calendly.com/helgabrandtcoaching
If you have any questions, email contact@helgabrandt.com

What can I expect from a coaching session at TOSH?
Usually, we’ll have a short “chemistry call” before our first session, where I explain how I work and
clarify any questions you might have. I will also send you a coaching agreement.
The sessions are confidential and will be in a private room at TOSH. I will make sure that you are
comfortable and that we are both clear about the coaching agreement.

What happens in the session is largely down to you. My role as coach is to provide a framework for
our conversation and to hold a safe space for your thinking and self-guided learning. I will listen,
question and reflect back. I will be alongside you as you work towards your solution.
www.helgabrandtcoaching.com

‍A massive thank you to The Old School House for generously letting me use the room to offer these
sessions.