Question 1

What is coaching?

Accepted Answer

The best definition I've heard of coaching is that coaching is an excuse to have an authentic conversation. 
That comes from my mentor, Teri-E Belf.

The next best description: coaching is a thought-provoking and creative partnership designed to help you move yourself forward in any or every area of your life.

We've all had those moments when we feel stuck in a particular area, or things seem more difficult than they should, as if we're swimming against the current of life. Coaching is about the gap between where you are and where you want to be in any area of your life...and it pulls you forward. Coaches hold a fundamental believe that every person is inherently strong, capable, and wise. That every person does indeed have the answers they seek. So it's about tapping into your own inner wisdom and resourcefulness, and it's my job to hold space. To be present. To listen. To ask powerful questions.

Question 2

How does coaching work?

Accepted Answer

First, see "what is coaching?" above.

As far as how coaching works: 
Prior to your first coaching engagement, I'll meet with you to discuss what coaching is and isn't and answer any questions you have. Next, I'll offer you a complimentary session, during which time I'll get to know you a little better, discover what brings you to coaching, and ask what your goal is for the overall engagement as well as for the individual session.

Each time we meet:
• We'll do a check-in; I'll ask you "what's something that has gone well, personally or professionally, since we last met?" 
This question is intentionally designed to activate a client's parasympathetic nervous system and create a space of greater creativity andpossibility for the entire session. For more information, see this video from Case Western.

Next, I follow a really common coaching model called the GROW model:
• GOAL: I'll ask you some variation of, "what new learning or awareness would we like to create together today?" It's an important principle of coaching that you as client will always drive the agenda. 
• REALITY: Now that we know where we want to go, where are we now? It's my job to hold space. To be present. To listen. To ask powerful questions. During a typical coaching session, I'll ask questions that will facilitate the exploration of your values, strengths, perspectives, and vision. I'll help you make connections between various things you've said, and may offer tools, such as written and mindfulness exercises, to help you get unstuck. 
• OPTIONS: Now that we've established where you want to go and where you are, what are all the ways you can think of to get there? This is where we tap into your own inner wisdom and resourcefulness. 
• WAY FORWARD: What are one or two things you're willing to try out between now and the next time we meet?

And one final question: "What more would you like to say to feel like this is a complete session for today?"

Coaching with me takes place via Zoom (unless something else is your preference); audio sessions are not preferred notwithstanding any accommodations you may request. Sessions are typically held every 2-3 weeks for ~45-60 minutes/session.

Question 3

What's the difference between coaching and some commonly-conflated skills like therapy, mentoring, or consulting?

Accepted Answer

First, see "what is coaching?" above.

Coaching is future-focused: who do you want to be? Where do you want to be? What do you want to be able to say? Coaching is about the gap between where you are and where you want to be in any area of your life...and it pulls you forward. Coaches hold a fundamental believe that every person is inherently strong, capable, and wise. That every person does indeed have the answers they seek. So it's about tapping into your own inner wisdom and resourcefulness, and it's my job to hold space. To be present. To listen. To ask powerful questions.

Though coaching skills may be used in therapy, consulting, and mentoring, there are some important differences between those disciplines and the field of professional coaching.

In therapy—another great place for mental health—work often centers around understanding and healing from past incidents. While the past may come up in coaching, the discussion will be around how that experience has served or can serve to move you forward, not why it happened. A good professional coach will know when to ask a client if they think they should be talking with a therapist in place of, or alongside, coaching (the two can work really well together!).

Therapy is largely a clinically-regulated profession (country-dependent): psychiatrists. Psychologists. Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

Coaching is not a clinically-regulated profession; the global body many professional coaches look to, "the gold standard in coaching," is the International Coaching Federation, or ICF. The ICF dates to the mid-1990s and is the most widely recognized global authority on coaching ethics and coach credentialing. In addition, since 2012, the Center for Credentialing & Education has administered a rigorous, examination-based, professional credential program for professional coach recognition – designated as the CCE Board Certified Coach (BCC) Program – started in partnership with ICF MCC-level coaches.

In consulting or mentoring, the consultant or mentor is generally considered to be the expert; in coaching, you are the expert...not the coach. There is no advice from your coach.

(having said that, coaches have many tools designed to help a client move themselves forward!)

Question 4

Is coaching confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes, coaching is confidential.
I do not take your trust in me as your coach lightly; I take the confidentiality of coaching very seriously, and I am gladly bound to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics.

There are a few important exemptions which are spelled out in my Privacy Policy. Some of these include:
If the coach has a concern that a prospective client, client, or former client may, or if a prospective client, client, or former client indicates the intention to, harm themselves or someone else. This is a standard exemption centered around client safety found in many professions.
If you have smart listening or artificial intelligence devices turned on, those listening devices may be capturing your data. If you have any concerns about this, please turn your smart listening devices off during coaching sessions.

Question 5

Do you use AI in coaching?

Accepted Answer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are being integrated into many professional coaching across all platforms.

In my experience, AI can be helpful in summarizing coaching sessions, giving clients session summaries, parsing out a vision, goals, and more. Therefore, you as client have the option to turn AI features on so long as that option is mutually agreed-upon.

By default, in my private coaching practice, any AI note-taking and recording are turned off on my end. My privacy policy states, "If you have smart listening or artificial intelligence devices turned on, those listening devices may be capturing your data. If you have any concerns about this, please turn your smart listening devices off during coaching sessions."

Question 6

Do you hold any coaching certifications?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I proudly hold International Coaching Federation, or ICF, MCC and Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) credentials, as well as the Center for Credentialing & Education Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential. As of August 2025, there were just 2,481MCC-level coaches out of nearly ~57k ICF-certified coaches worldwide (SOURCE: ICF).

In July 2024, I earned the EMCC EIA Accreditation at the Senior Practitioner level. In 2025, I both attended the Digital and AI Coaches' Conference and completed BetterUp University's Future-Ready Coaching Series, which included Coaching in the Age of AI.

I bring over 4500 hours of experience coaching leaders and teams across 10+ Fortune 100 companies and a wide range of industries (construction, financial services, energy, environmental, government/military, healthcare, hospitality, media, nonprofit, tech, wholesale distribution and more). My specialties include life vision and enhancement, executive and leadership coaching, career coaching, and coaching around inclusion and spirituality.

In addition to my private practice, I'm proud to serve as coach with 7 industry-leading platforms.

Question 7

What coaching types and plans are offered?

Accepted Answer

As coaching is a highly-personalized investment in yourself, for information on what coaching plans include or for help selecting the best plan for you, contact me to add your name to the waiting list!

For information on coaching types offered, visit the What I offer page on this site.

Question 8

Is my outcome guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." - William Ernest Henley
 
While there are many documented benefits of coaching and client testimonials that demonstrate just how life-changing it can be, in coaching, you are the guarantor of your outcome. Like anything else, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.

I back my coaching services with a 100% peace of mind guarantee. That means if you aren't completely satisfied with your paid session and you let me know within 24 hours of the completion of that session, you'll receive a full refund for that session.

ROB MICHELUCCI
LIFE COACH
BECOME MORE AWARE.℠

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