Many companies are considering telephone coaching as a practical way of improving the performance of expatriate staff. But how does it work and - more importantly - is it effective?

There is sometimes a perception that you need to be sitting across the desk from a coach in order to fully reap the benefits of coaching, however telephone coaching is just as effective as face to face coaching. It's the trust relationship between coach and client that determines the effectiveness of the coaching, and not the geographical proximity.

Most of my coaching clients are expats who are often on other sides of the globe.  I often do not meet my clients at all.  We establish the coaching relationship through initial discussions, clarity around how we are going to work together, setting of ground rules together and focusing on the task at hand – the coaching call.  I ask my clients to send me a call preparation sheet prior to our sessions so that we can make best use of our time.

It's very important to speak with a few coaches to determine who the best fit is for you.

Better preparedness, fewer distractions

In my experience coaches and clients are usually better prepared when they are coming to a phone call meeting with clear expectations and agreed upon parameters.

When I am on a coaching call I am in a quiet, undisturbed environment and able to fully focus on what the client is saying.  There are no distractions such as attire, or body language.  I am completely focused on the voice…what is being said and just as important as what is not being said.  In the same way clients are not distracted by my presence but fully focused on the call dynamics.

As long as both parties are in a quiet and undisturbed location the telephone coaching call offers a great deal of flexibility.  I am able to accommodate my clients' schedules much more easily and they are not burdened with the extra travel required for a personal meeting.  This flexibility is one of the most attractive features of telephone coaching for busy people.

Occasionally a client will express some reservations about the telephone as a coaching medium.  However, once they've tried it they are fully convinced of the benefits.

Initial anonymity, time maximised

An additional benefit of the telephone coaching call is often the initial anonymity.  Sometimes clients are much more comfortable discussing difficult situations using the phone, rather than in a personal meeting.  For these clients it allows us to progress in the coaching relationship much more quickly thereby maximising our time.

Generally a telephone coaching call lasts from 30-60 minutes as predetermined by coach and client.  The client then takes away the deliverables to be prepared prior to the next session.  Coaches usually also provide email support in between sessions as needed.

The telephone is a powerful coaching tool.  Used efficiently it increases the flexibility and broadens the scope of the coaching relationship.

Please note that I do not coach via mobile phones due to the confidential nature of the coaching relationship, the inconsistency of mobile service and the fact that people who are on mobile phones and in transit (driving, commuting, etc) cannot give full presence of mind to the coaching discussion.

If you have a question about coaching please send it to feedback@expatica.com with 'HR: Coaching question' in the subject line.

Alanea Kowalski: The telephone is a powerful coaching tool.

Alanea Kowalski, who focuses on expatriate coaching (from North American to Europe and from Europe to North America), also delivers training programmes internationally (some examples include, Moscow, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Europe and N.A.).

Kowalski started her own business, AdVantage Consulting Group Inc., which specialises in Corporate Talent Management, 15 years ago. The North American office of AdVantage is in Toronto and the European office is based in Paris. 

She has been a partner with an executive search firm and a vice president, HR of an international financial services company.

Subject: Coaching expatriates, Telephone coaching