Soft Skills Coaching
John Ford has been selected as a Top Communication Coach by Coachfoundation
We coach managers and executives who recognize the importance of relational management soft skills and especially conflict handling skills for the advancement of their own careers.
We typically use live conflict situations to explore the topic and develop skills.
Through a series of conversations, we discover what your soft skill developmental needs are and set goals.
We then develop your relationship management abilities. We also consider the barriers that are preventing you from being a competent leader.
Some of the areas we focus on are:
communication,
conflict resolution,
emotional intelligence,
assertion,
negotiation,
mediation,
dealing with difficult behavior,
customer service,
nonverbal communication,
de-escalation skills,
stress management,
diversity and inclusion.
We may ask that you take either or both of these instruments: The Conflict Handling Style Instrument and The Conflict Dynamics Profile.
The Conflict Handling Style Instrument explores your propensity to use one of the five styles: avoid, accommodate, compete, compromise and collaborate. You discover how to strategize and make informed choices about which conflict handling style to use in the future.
The Conflict Dynamics Profile focuses on constructive and destructive behaviors that influence how conflict unfolds. This instrument has been endorsed by the Center for Creative Leadership. They consider conflict management as the number one developmental need of managers in their Foundations of Leadership program.
How it works
It is anticipated that we will spend about 15 hours working together. Ideally, the first three sessions are scheduled for face-to-face meetings of at least 2 hours. Thereafter, meetings are scheduled every week for at least 1 hour. Based on mutual agreement we may agree to meet for shorter periods or have longer meeting intervals and also to conduct our meetings over the phone or online with Zoom.
““I have worked with John on a number of engagements at Kaiser Permanente. John brings his deep expertise as a mediator, facilitator, and coach to any situation whether dealing with an individual or in a team building environment. He approaches the complexities of the work place with integrity, wisdom, intuition, and heart. I highly recommend John for any assignment that requires a skilled collaborator to address individual and/or team dynamics.
— Denise Erickson, Chief of Staff to Chief HR Officer, Kaiser Permanente”
Coaching Contract
This is the standard coaching contract we use:
This agreement establishes a coaching relationship between
John Ford (the coach) and ________________ (the client)
1. Scope of Expertise
The coach specializes in the development of communication, emotional intelligence (including anger management), negotiation, team building, meeting facilitation, conflict resolution and leadership development skills.
2. Purpose of Coaching Relationship
The purpose of the coaching relationship is for the client to identify through measurable goals the areas within the coach’s scope of expertise that the client wants to improve, and through the coaching relationship to make step-by-step improvements to performance and motivation in the identified areas.
3. Efficacy of the Coaching Relationship
The coaching relationship is based on open, respectful and candid communication, and is achieved through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations and email messages. The efficacy of the coaching relationship is dependent on the client’s willingness to be open to feedback, to work on assignments and to practice new skills. The extent to which the coach is directive will be negotiated on an ongoing basis.
4. Schedule for Coaching Sessions
Ideally, the first three sessions are scheduled for face-to-face meetings of at least 2 hours. Thereafter, meetings are scheduled every week for at least 1 hour.
Based on mutual agreement, we may agree to meet for shorter periods or have longer meeting intervals and also to conduct our meetings over the phone or by email. It is anticipated that we will spend about 15 hours working together.
5. Commitment to the client
The primary coaching relationship is between the coach and the client. The coach will not report back to the hiring organization without the prior consent of the client. Any report will be limited to the goals established and using them as a reference, whether the coaching sessions were successful or not.
6. Costs, Payment Terms, and Session Cancellations
Please email John at john@johnford.com for more information about coaching.
7. Confidentiality
Information regarding all conversations and materials that are given to or received from the client is confidential. Beyond the limited reporting contemplated in clause 5, the coach will not disclose any information without the express consent of the client unless the information is required by law, indicates an illegal action or the possibility of harm either to the client or others.
8. Privacy
The coach will maintain the privacy of the client, and not reveal, without the client’s consent, the name of the client to outside parties. The client will not be used as reference without his/her express permission.
9. Scope of Practice
The coach is not a psychotherapist and is not engaged in the practice of therapy or psychological counseling.
10. Copyright
The client shall respect the proprietary rights of written materials used by the coach. The client shall not provide materials received from the coach to any other person or organization or department. All written materials, including but not limited to Power Points, text files and hard copies, handouts, and outlines, are and will remain the property of John Ford.
Signed by the Coach and Client on _____/_____/___________
______________________ ______________________
CLIENT COACH
““In John’s coaching, he has a keen ability to listen to what is said and hone in on unspoken hopes and desires. He understands and supports the practical needs of his clients, while championing and encouraging them to pursue their greatest dreams. John is direct and tactful and provides the focus and structure necessary to target one’s areas of greatest priority and importance.”
— Nicole Lamb”