Work worth waking up for
Tired of the daily grind? Rhymer Rigby hears from people who have turned their hobbies, pastimes and passions into full-time careers
Bosses are a bad idea
There are no managers or employees at the high-tech materials company WL Gore ? only "associates". "It's a very chaotic environment," says Terri Kelly, chief executive officer, with pride
Workers ready to deal
Strike action now will bring about mutually assured destruction for employers and employees. Pragmatic deal-making is the order of the day, writes Stefan Stern
Worst times can be the best
A crisis creates an external rationale to make unpopular but necessary changes. In a downturn, investors and boards are more forgiving of short-term earnings dips that might result from actions to improve the organisation in the long term, writes Donald Sull
A woman of two styles
The head of GE in northern Europe mixes French idealism and US-style management
Play the home advantage
From shoes to scientific instruments, smart companies are using their local strengths to compete against formidable global rivals
Slash 'n' burn is not enough
Some companies are strong because of their market position, which is down to their people, writes Stefan Stern
A thirst for success
The head of Carlsberg, has only once had to apply for a job ? and that was his first. He keeps getting approached, he says. "I have been lucky throughout my career...never having had to start looking."
Wanted: a return to the thrill of small ads
I have a sentimental attachment to the role of luck and industry in ferreting out obscure opportunities among old-fashioned classifieds, writes Luke Johnson
Sales people must get smart
The old concept of the hard-toiling, road-warrior salesman has lost all relevance, writes Stefan Stern
'Uptitling' gains stature in troubled times
With pay rises scarce, many executives are prepared to accept a more impressive job description in the hope that it will lead to advancement.
CFOs peer into bleak future
A series on managing in a downturn looks at the importance of the finance role
North-east's new take on recession
Being your own boss was once unusual in the region, but a lot has changed
Leadership lessons from 1955
Some old officer training notes offer clear, purposeful and persuasive thoughts, writes Stefan Stern
Helping workers manage bad news
Therapeutic consultancies are seeing increased interest in their services as the gloom deepens


skilled, educated ADD coaches than any other coach training program.”

Giwerc also serves as the current president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), which describes itself as “the world’s leading adult ADHD organization.”

What ADHD Coaches Do

“(ADHD coaches) tell our clients that they’re not broken; their brains are just wired differently,” Giwerc says. Besides educating clients about their ADHD, coaches support and empower them by helping them to:

#1 - Let go of and change beliefs that are obstacles in their lives: things like, “If I can’t do it the way ‘they’ want me to do it, I’m no good” (rather than “I have a different style that works for me”) and “If I don’t get the result I want, it’s a failure” (rather than “it’s a learning experience”).

#2 - Identify their passions, talents and successes – i.e., the things they love to do and do well – and focus on them rather than exclusively on their weaknesses

#3 - Understand how ADHD characteristics, such as creative thinking and hyperfocus, can be utilized as strengths when integrated into their daily schedules

#4 - Develop their unique skills

#5 - Create customized structures and strategies that utilize their natural learning and processing styles so that they can function more effectively and achieve their goals

#6 - Learn what do to when they get “stuck” because of ADHD-related challenges such as procrastination, perfectionism, distraction and lack of time awareness

While coaching is no substitute for medication, Giwerc says that it can be part of a comprehensive approach to managing ADHD that also includes 1) accurate diagnosis; 2) identification of the most effective drug and dosage for the individual; 3) psychotherapy, if needed; and 4) physical exercise.

Where Do I Find a Coach and What Should I Look For?

Many websites advertise ADHD coaches. At the ADDCA site, for example, you can find the names of suitable coaches by clicking on the “Find a Coach” tab and then choosing the specialty you want (for example, “Adult” or “Children and Adolescents”) and/or the location you prefer. Coaches usually offer a free introductory session so that you can both determine “if there’s a connection,” Giwerc explains.

Although the International Coaching Federation (ICF) certifies coaches in general coaching skills, there’s currently no ICF certification specifically for ADHD coaching. Coaches should be graduates of ADHD coach training programs, however, such as ADDCA’s 12-month long-distance program that leads to the ACG (ADD Coach Academy Graduate) designation. Graduates of ADDCA may then pursue advanced training to earn certification as a CAC (Certified ADDCA Coach).

For helpful guidance about selecting an ADHD coach, see “The ADDA Guiding Principles for Coaching Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder” at the ADDA’s website.

The Nuts and Bolts: How Does Coaching Actually Work?

Although you can meet with a local ADHD coach in person, most ADHD coaching takes place via telephone or e-mail. Three or four 30-to-60-minute phone sessions are usually scheduled each month, with e-mail or brief phone contacts in between. Fees may run between $200-$600 a month and are probably not covered by insurance (but you should check with your own health plan to be sure).

Coaching relationships don’t have a set timeframe. They can run from six months to two years or more, depending upon the individual client’s desires and progress.

As important as a coach’s credentials are, even more crucial to a successful coaching experience is the ADHD client’s willingness to do what he or she can to create a more fulfilling life. Coaches can inspire this willingness. “We teach our clients to shift perspective, to discover and embrace their strengths instead of their challenges,” Giwerc says.

In fact, adds Giwerc, “With the help of a well-trained coach, a client learns how to take his or her natural ADHD tendencies and convert them into strengths.”

Article Source: http://www.articleblender.com

by Fran Hopkins forADDvantaged.com - a source of news, information, media, free downloadable tools, and dynamic community-based support for people whose lives are affected by ADHD. www.add-vantaged.com


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