ICF Metro DC Coaches Offer Free "Discover Coaching" Sessions in Fairfax, Reston

ICF-Credentialed coaches offer pro-bono “Discover Coaching” sessions at Metro Offices in Fairfax and Boston Properties, Reston Town Center

More than 15 International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coaches offered pro-bono coaching sessions at Metro Offices in Fairfax and at a storefront in the Reston Town Center during International Coach Week (ICW) this week. Current ICF Metro DC Chapter President, Todd Dallanegra, of CRM, and Past President, Freddi Donner, of Business Stamina, helped organize the “Discover Coaching” sessions. Other volunteer coaches included: Friderike Butler, Roland Fabia, Tom Chaplin and Grace Klinefeltner in Fairfax. Rob Michelucci and other coaches joined Donner in Reston.

The ICF Metro DC Chapter has a league of over 1,000 professional coaches in the surrounding Washington, DC area. Coaches showcased the creative process that is used in all areas of interest such as: business, career, finances, health and relationships. In just 20-minutes, coaches helped their newly met proteges set better goals, make better decisions, and fully recognize and utilize natural strengths.

Coaching is considered to be at the intersection of art and science, which allows it to take many forms and cover a variety of sectors. Entrepreneur and expert leadership coach, Friderike Butler (pictured above) offers her insight on the coaching profession.

“Coaching has so many tools. It evolves naturally; it depends on what the client presents,” said Butler. She also commented that particular cues such as body language and connotation can be segues into certain coaching methods.

Butler stated that she helps people with her coaching through creating space to think and make intentional responses. “Once you create the space to figure out your intention you can choose your response. If you are just reacting, you usually create a pattern. You will create the same results,” said Butler. She discussed the realization that every person is unique and that detecting these patterns helps focus her coaching approach.

Rob Michelucci has an individual approach, himself. Michelucci had discovered, through 20 years in corporate leadership, that many people struggle to navigate their life’s passion. After coming to that realization, it has been his mission to help people live out the purposes for which they were meant.

Michelucci concentrates on getting to know his client: their dreams, goals, aspirations, and more. From there, he uses that knowledge to help his client navigate their values, strengths, perspectives and vision. It is not uncommon to engage in a "vision exercise" during a session to help uncover one’s true passion and values. In just 20 minutes, he was able to use these creative vision experiments to help people come to eye-opening self-discoveries.

A key component of coaching that people appreciate is that they are being asked questions about themselves and not just stop on the surface, but to offer the opportunity to say more. Coaching is an art of listening more than it is commanding. It allows the client the ability to hear themselves talk in the time set aside so they can focus on one thing. Through intentional questions and though-provoking conversation, clients come to a realization or a conclusion on their own.

ICW is an annual week-long global celebration of the coaching profession. ICF coaches and chapters around the world are kicking-off the celebration by offering a variety of activities and pro-bono services to share coaching’s impact on the community.

For more information on coaching services and the coaching profession, go to www.DCcoach.org