What makes LGBTQ+ Executive / Leadership Coaching different? UPDATED
How is LGBTQ+ Executive / Leadership Coaching - different? I thought you may be wondering, and I want to clear up any possible questions you or your organization many have. I am often asked this question by both members of the LGBTQ+ community and those who are not members.
How is it the same as traditional Leadership Coaching?
LGBTQ+ coaching with me follows the same guidelines and competencies that the International Coach Federation Code of Ethics (ICF) has provided. I am a member and certified through the ICF at the Professional Coach (PCC) level for many years. LGBTQ+ specific coaching is necessary to ensure a safe and successful experience for you or your employees.
Code of Ethics: My LGBTQ+ coaching services follow the International Coach Federation Code of Ethics which I am legally required to follow, whether coaching cisgender, transgender, straight, gay, lesbian, bi, or queer clients. These include: Responsibility to Clients, Responsibility to Practice and Performance, Responsibility to Professionalism, and Responsibility to Society.
Confidentiality - protection of any information obtained around the coaching engagement unless consent to release is given or you or someone else is physically at risk.
Coaching Process:
Starting: Our first session will be spent getting to know you. You will share and answer many questions to provide a full picture of your work and life.
Agreement on Purpose and Goals: We will define and confirm the exact shifts and changes you seek and what success looks like. You will be offered exercises to practice beginning your shift. We will discuss ways to hold yourself accountable in moving towards changes.
Working Towards Goals, and Practicing: Each coaching session will start with you sharing your progress, challenges, successes, and insights that were gained. Continued support will be provided, and you will be offered additional ways to overcome challenges and stretch yourself.
Closing of Coaching Program: During our last session, we will reflect on your progress. How do you feel coaching has gone? What are your next steps? Is there interest in extending coaching for new or different areas.
What You Receive
A personalized coaching package tailored to your specific issue (including intended outcomes of our coaching program)
Recommended practices and exercises to help create the desired change
Private weekly or twice-monthly one-hour sessions, for a minimum of 6 sessions, to check on your progress, discuss new insights, and address any challenges
E-mail and phone support between sessions (two, 10-minute “emergency” calls per month) - in case you need live support between sessions
How is it different?
Understanding of LGBTQ+ culture and needs - as an LGBTQ+ coach and speaker, I can support the unique needs and issues within the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I have been in your shoes with some success, some failures, and overcome many hurdles.
Focus - In addition to traditional leadership coaching topics, clients often want to discuss LGBTQ+ work-specific topics including: microaggressions, coming out at work, being misgendered, etc.
Empathy - I understand the emotional toll of navigating a traditionally straight-focused society and workplace. Actions that may seem simple for cisgender or straight clients may be fraught with broader implications or personal concerns for members of the LGBTQ+ community. I can support you in a way that works towards your goals, while respecting the personal reflection, hesitancy, or internal conflicts that may arise. Being with a fellow LGBTQ+ coach adds value in the empathetic listening experience. This is deeper than just listening; I understand your viewpoint.
Promote LGBTQ+ Self-acceptance and self-compassion - The world is not always easy on us as LGBTQ+ leaders. I work with you to build self-awareness, and self-compassion, along with your emotional intelligence: a key ingredient for a successful work life.
Not Life Coaching. Not Therapy. I support high potential, high achieving LGBTQ+ leaders in meeting their career challenges in new ways. My coaching provides support for business and the workplace, while life coaching and therapy typically provide support for the person outside of work.
Support LGBTQ+ confidence, resilience, and grit Optimism, Resilience, and Grit has never been more important than today. With both the pandemic and political unrest, Gay, Lesbians, Bisexual, Non-Binary, Trans, and Queer / Questioning people are seeking ways to endure and succeed in the world.
Being a fellow minority - Representation matters for both the coach and coachee. Your ability to see yourself represented with your coach sets the stage for inclusivity and your ability to look towards your future and dreams.
I welcome the chance to connect with you.
Let’s see if LGBTQ+ coaching with me is a good fit for reaching your professional goals.
Self-learning on positive psychology? Check out our new Digital Course Optimism, Resilience and Grit: Sustaining Success at Work and Home.
Interested in having me speak on Resilience and Optimism for your Employee Resource Group (ERG) or Association?
Sign up for our monthly Newsletter here for great articles, tools, and blog posts
Questions? Let’s connect. I would love to hear your success stories. Please send them to: hello@sarahscala.com or visit www.sarahscala.com
About the Author:
Sarah Scala is a sought after speaker supporting unique needs and issues within the LGBTQ+ community. She is a senior talent management leader and executive coach with 20+ years of experience providing organization development, change management, and leadership development solutions for diverse global and local industries. She She is a collaborative consultant, coach, and educator supporting performance transformation of executives, leaders, and teams. Sarah is a methodical, results-driven leader recognized for helping clients reach their highest potential, increase revenue, reduce turnover, elevate business profitability, build competencies, and improve performance.
Privacy policy: I do not rent, sell, trade or share your email address with anyone, ever.
©Sarah A Scala Consulting
All rights reserved. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sarah A. Scala Consulting with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.