Coaching is solutions oriented. A coach asks powerful questions to help an individual become their own compass and move closer to their goals and aspirations.
Unlike mentors who often provide advice based on their experience, coaches focus on the future and guide individuals to discover solutions themselves. It is not necessary for a coach to be an expert in the individual's field, as the emphasis is on internal discovery. In contrast, counselors or therapists may focus on understanding past issues, and consultants provide solutions to fix problems. The "coach approach" involves curiosity, non-judgmentalism, and the use of open-ended questions like "What" and "How" instead of "Why." Observing body language and word choice, coaches encourage reflection and vision. See the adjacent figure for a depiction of how these common forms of guidance overlap and differ.
"If you don't make the time to work on creating the life you want, you're eventually going to be forced to spend a lot of time dealing with a life you don't want."
Coaching can potentially help any issue, but below are issues encountered by faculty that may benefit from a coaching session or engagement.
Quality Improvement for Your Career
Mine | Cultivate | Grow
The process begins with an initial consultation to dig deep and understand what issues you want to tackle. This initial phase may include completing assessments and setting goals for the engagement.
This is the active coaching/exploration phase where through active listening and powerful questioning from the coach you will cultivate new insights and solutions and formulate action steps.
In this phase, you will experiment by implementing action steps generated in the previous phase resulting in growth. Implement QI cycles (Plan – Do – Check – Act) to develop a plan that works for you.
OFS Coaching Workshops for Departments or College
ICF World Coaching Week Celebrations
Coaching Workshop - May 13, 2024
Taste of Coaching
What is a Coaching Consultation?
What is a Coaching Engagement?
What is a Coaching Session?
Who are the Coaches?
Lisa Leggio, MD
Lisa Leggio, MD is the Associate Director of OFS. She is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics with over 20 years of experience as a general pediatrician. She was the Director of Pediatric Student Education for 18 years and currently serves as the Vice Chair for Faculty Development in Pediatrics and a Longitudinal Career Advisor in Academic Affairs. Leggio has been a certified Healthcare Peer Coaching Practitioner™ through the Physician Coaching Institute since 2021. She completed a 30-hour COMSEP COACH Certificate program through the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics and a 12-hour Coaching 101 program through the MCG Education Innovation Institute in 2023. She completed executive coach training through the Center for Executive Coaching and is accruing the experience hours required to become board certified with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Katherine Grego, MEd
Katherine "Kat" Grego began with Augusta University's Human Resources Division in 2023 as the Organizational Development Analyst. Katherine is a Certified Coach from the University of Georgia's Graduate Certificate in Organizational Coaching program and completed her MEd in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University. Her coaching sessions tend to focus on career transitions and developing traditionally underserved leaders. In her free time, Katherine enjoys practicing yoga, playing strategic board games, and listening to podcasts.
Kelli Brooks, MBA, BCC
Kelli has been involved in organizational development at Augusta University since 2016. Her work focuses on creating energy for change for individual and institutional development serving the physicians, faculty, and staff of AU. She specializes in using data to drive leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational development. As a Board-Certified Coach with the Executive & Leadership Coaching designation, she offers individual and group coaching to guide her clients through goal development using actionable development plans and thoughtful questions to encourage perspective taking and personal growth. Through strategic organizational consulting, she works to maximize effectiveness by increasing engagement, influencing a positive culture, and promoting AU’s values to improve the patient and student experience. She also teaches research-based curriculum, to develop AU personnel while modeling a hunger for learning and professional development.
Lori Welch-Sigmon, PhD, HSP
Dr. Lori Welch-Sigmon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior and a Licensed Psychologist. In her role with AU/MCG, she provides training and supervision of doctoral-level psychology students at East Central Regional Hospital. Dr. Welch graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University, M.S. in Applied Psychology from Augusta University, M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University with specialization in Health Psychology. She received predoctoral training at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana and postdoctoral training in Community Psychology and spiritually integrative care in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Welch has post-doctoral certifications in Executive Coaching from the College of Executive Coaching and Leadership Coaching from Coles Business School at Kennesaw State University. She is Co-Chair of the GWIMS Policy and Advocacy Committee, the Department of Psychiatry’s Diversity Committee, and previously the MCG Medical Student Promotion Committee. She is an active reviewer for teaching awards, papers for psychological conferences, and trainee research projects. Dr. Welch is a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and Georgia Psychological Association. Dr. Welch’s areas of scholarship include topics related to clinical care, teaching and mentoring, and career advancement in women faculty.
What is Coaching?
What Makes Good Coaching Great
Brene Brown
Errin Weisman, DO
