Rob Baker – Coaching for Career and Job Peformance

Before we ask your ‘Ten Questions’, tell us about yourself:

“I am a Professional full-time Career and Executive Coach helping clients get the best out of themselves in the context of their career and job performance. I don on-to-one sessions with clients helpign them to understand what they want from a career and setting up strategies to achieve their career goals. I also help clients increase there job performance level; this has traditionally been executives however now I do this for a wide variety of jobs. This quote from Muhammad Ali sums up my spirit for openig up this sort of performance coaching to position other than executives; ‘You could be the world’s best garbage man, the world’s best model; it don’t matter what you do …but give it your best’. My academic background – Masters in Business Psychology. Bsc Psychology and HND Business and Finance.
I have a strong interest in the potential of our minds for Performance/Development/Clarity of thinking/ Purpose/Direction.
 www.robbakercoaching.com

Q1.  Did you always want to become a Career/Executive COACH or did you fall into the role?

It was an organic process. I always knew I had good people skills from an early age i.e. I understood the importance of listening properly. From that, I moved into Sales quite easily and having a strong interest in understanding people I started studying in Psychology. After completing a degree and Masters I realised I didn’t want to be a ‘research based’ Psychologist so I wanted an avenue that would enable me to help people in more practical ways; hence coaching came into my life.

Q2.  What makes a good COACH?

Your intention must be to genuinely want to help someone; without this intention you can be the most skillful coach in the world but results will be minimal and short lived.  Apart from that a love for coaching; enthusiasm is the energy that drives me. Lastly comes your skillset; rapport building, asking the right questions;  understanding the nuances between individuals that enable you to tap into them and get the best out of them; knowledge of Psychological learning/peak performance theories; having your own Philosophy to work towards etc…I could go on.. 🙂

Q3.  Do you feel you manage yourself well or is it a case of ‘the cobbler’s shoes’?

Used to be a bit more play it by ear and then I went to a very strict routine/discipline. Now I realise the most skilful way is in between; having a structure but being prepared to be flexible with it…but knowing when you’re being too flexible!

Q4.  Are there enough hours in your day?

No

Q5.  If you could magically stop your clients from making one mistake – what would that be?

Overestimating what they can do in 6months and Underestimating what they can do in 3 years.

Q6.  What do you find is the best way to market yourself?

Referrals from clients.

Q7.  What do you do to unwind?

I don’t get stressed up much these days; Meditation is a something I think everyone can benefit from; apart from that I’ve always been very sporty and I’m qualified to teach tennis; snowboarding and scuba diving so these activities help me to ‘straighten out’ my mind when I get entangled in the ‘work’

Q8.  What advice would you give a starting COACH?

Practice….and practice more…..even if it’s for free to begin with.

Q9.  What’s your guilty pleasure?.
I reserve my right to silence ;)…………..OK we’ll go for Milkshakes; There are these milkshakes in a can that you can get at most small corner shops; they  have tons vitamins and minerals in them so at first glance you think ‘oh good tasty and healthy; but then I looked at the sugar content and they are off the scale!!   seriously bad for you……still I induldge… sometimes..:)

Q10.  What’s your goal for next year?

To get better at what I do.