TED Fellows FAQ
- How do I get a SupporTED Coach?
- How do you choose my coach?
- How does the coaching take place?
- Will this cost me anything?
- What happens in a coaching session?
- Is a coach the same thing as a mentor?
- How long will the coaching relationship last?
- What if I don't like the coach you chose for me?
- When I've finished my SupporTED Coaching engagement, may I have another coach?
- I'm afraid that my personal information or my confidential business information won't be kept private between me and my coach.
- My TED Fellows experience is coming to an end. I'm afraid that the end of my SupporTED Coaching will leave me feeling alone.
- I love my coach and I want to get him/her a gift. Is this appropriate?
- My coach is fantastic and I want to tell others about my coaching experience. Is that OK?
How do I get a SupporTED Coach?
Please fill out the SupporTED Application. There are no “right” answers – please be as frank and forthcoming as possible to help us understand your circumstances and your coaching needs.
How do you choose my coach?
We'll review your application and we may ask you a few additional questions. We'll go through the roster of SupporTED coaches, looking for the best possible match of their strengths and your desires. We may feel that one special coach stands out as the ideal match, or we may offer you a choice of two or more coaches. You will have an opportunity to review the coach's biography, and you may have a preliminary conversation with one or more coaches to see if the match feels right for both of you.
How does the coaching take place?
You may have coaching sessions on the telephone, via Skype, Instant Messaging, email, in person, or a combination. This will be up to you and your coach to decide.
Will this cost me anything?
The SupporTED Coaches are generously volunteering their time and expertise. At no time will your SupporTED coach ask you for payment, or attempt to sell you anything, or request that you hire them after the volunteer engagement is over. (Please notify us promptly if this is not your experience.) The cost of the phone calls may be your responsibility, but you and your SupporTED Coach will discuss this at the beginning of your coaching engagement. If you have special circumstances, please notify SupporTED.
What happens in a coaching session?
Coaching is a conversation. As the person being coached, you're responsible for setting the agenda. What do you want your coach to support you in accomplishing? During the conversation, your coach will ask you questions, provide feedback, and support you in discovering new ways of looking at your situation. You will probably be asked to agree to take specific actions that will move you forward toward the goal you have set for your coaching.
Is a coach the same thing as a mentor?
No, a coach is not a mentor, a consultant, a therapist, or a counselor. A coach will not tell you what to do. Coaching is not designed to heal past psychological wounds. A coach's job is not to supply answers for you; a coach guides you to discovering your own best answers. A coach may provide resources, may share experiences or knowledge. Learn more about what coaching is and is not.
How long will the coaching relationship last?
SupporTED Coaches agree to offer ten sessions over 90 days. You and your coach may decide to extend the coaching engagement, but the SupporTED Coach is under no obligation to do so.What if I don't like the coach you chose for me?
If, for any reason, you feel that the SupporTED Coach is not suitable for you, please notify us promptly and we will make other arrangements.
When I've finished my SupporTED Coaching engagement, may I have another coach?
That depends upon your needs, the availability of SupporTED Coaches, and your TED Fellow status. Senior Fellows will have the opportunity for additional coaching, and may be matched with a succession of SupporTED Coaches over the course of their Fellowship.
I'm afraid that my personal information or my confidential business information won't be kept private between me and my coach.
Your SupporTED Coach is bound by professional ethics to keep your information confidential. Your SupporTED Coach will not talk about you, write about you, or tell others that they are coaching you without your express permission. (You are free to share anything about your coaching sessions with anyone at any time.)
There are exceptions to this confidentiality of which you should be aware. Legally, U.S.-based coaches are responsible to notify authorities if they believe you are about to do physical harm to yourself or another person. U.S.-based coaches are also required to testify truthfully if they are subpoenaed in a court of law.
My TED Fellows experience is coming to an end. I'm afraid that the end of my SupporTED Coaching will leave me feeling alone.
Discuss this frankly with your coach. From the beginning of your SupporTED Coaching relationship, you will be learning how to coach yourself, how to find support from other sources, and how to "hear the coach's voice in your head" even when the relationship has formally ended.
I love my coach and I want to get him/her a gift. Is this appropriate?
Your sincere thanks and appreciation is the greatest gift your coach can receive. Most coaches would prefer to receive a testimonial than any other gift. A letter that includes specific details of the coach's effect on your work and your life, along with permission to share that on their website, is a treasure to a coach.
My coach is fantastic and I want to tell others about my coaching experience. Is that OK?
Your coaching relationship is confidential. Your coach will never tell people about your relationship without your permission. On the other hand, you are free to tell the world! While your coach has chosen to work with you at no charge, it's probable that your coach will appreciate referrals. It isn't appropriate for you to ask your coach to contribute free coaching to one of your friends or associates. But it will certainly be appreciated if you refer potential paying clients to your coach.