Question 1

What are good areas to focus on in coaching?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is designed to support growth and meaningful change. To make the most of it, bring a focus area where you’re eager to improve, feeling stuck, or see potential to enhance your impact and quality of life.

Focus areas can range from professional topics like delegation, stepping into a new leadership role, or refining communication styles to personal ones, such as work-life balance or relationships. Often, these areas overlap, as how we are at work often shows up in other areas of our life.

Together, we’ll explore what’s driving your focus area and translate it into clear, actionable goals. Coaching sessions will then support you in making tangible progress toward those goals.

Question 2

What should I expect over the course of a coaching engagement?

Accepted Answer

The initial sessions focus on establishing clear, actionable goals for the engagement, including both big-picture aspirations and the specific behavioral changes needed to achieve them. Together, we’ll define what success looks like by the end of our work together.

Once goals are set, each session will center on making progress. This might involve exploring challenges in depth, building awareness through observation, or experimenting with new behaviors, always tying back to the overarching goals.

We can also address any pressing topics that arise, such as preparing for a difficult conversation or navigating performance reviews, to ensure the coaching remains responsive to your immediate needs.

In the final sessions, we’ll reflect on the progress made, solidify key insights for sustained growth, and create a plan to help you continue your development beyond the coaching engagement.

Question 3

How can I best prepare for a coaching session?

Accepted Answer

At the start of each session, I’ll ask what you’d like to focus on and what you hope to walk away with, for example, a plan for a conversation or deeper understanding of a challenge. It’s helpful to come with a general idea of what you’d like to explore, and I’ll work with you to refine and clarify it.

Your topic could relate to a recent event, insights from experiments or observations between sessions, or any pressing issue. Ideally, it will tie back to your overarching coaching goals to ensure each session contributes meaningfully to your progress.

It is common to feel like you haven't "prepared" for a coaching session - but in general, living your life and continuing to practice and we explore in between sessions is what preparation looks like!  The real work of coaching happens in between sessions as you put what we discuss into observation and practice, and each session can further progress based on what comes up as you practice.

Question 4

What can I expect from a coaching session?

Accepted Answer

During the session, we’ll dive deeply into your chosen topic to help generate new understanding, ideas, and ultimately actions. I’ll ask thought-provoking questions to help you uncover new understanding, ideas, and actions, such as: Why is this important now? What do you want to do with it? What's making this hard for you? What options or ideas could move you forward? I’ll also share observations and reflections to help you connect with your deeper intuition and emotions around the topic.

As coaching is action-oriented, we’ll end the session by identifying what you want to do next. This might include observing specific situations, trying a new behavior, or solidifying a key insight to carry forward.

The real transformation happens between sessions as you apply what’s uncovered in coaching to your day-to-day life, fostering deeper discovery and meaningful change over time.

Question 5

What’s important in determining which coach to work with?

Accepted Answer

When selecting a coach, prioritize fit. Most coaches offer an introductory or chemistry call where you can share your goals, experience their coaching style, and decide if it feels like the right match. Each coach brings a unique approach in how they support, challenge, and help you grow. Choose someone you feel comfortable opening up to and whose style resonates with how you learn and grow, increasing awareness and unlocking actionable change.

A coach with similar experience to you (industry, function, company) can provide additional value by speaking your language and understanding your challenges, whether that’s navigating tech company dynamics, analytics roles, or cross-functional influence. This shared context can accelerate progress. Many of my clients value my expertise in analytics, data, product, marketing, and tech cultures for this reason.

Ultimately, the most important factor is finding someone who helps you see things in a new light and take meaningful action. A strong fit ensures the coaching engagement will drive the greatest impact.

Question 6

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

We can start with a free introductory call to get to know one other and discuss what you are working on and hope to achieve. I will help you refine your goals and explore immediate actions you can take. This call lets you experience my coaching style and see how it can support your growth, ensuring we are a good fit.

Reach out to rachael@arcgrowthllc.com (rachael@arcgrowthllc.com)to schedule a free introductory call.

Coaching FAQ

Common Questions

Let’s Talk.
Schedule a complimentary consultation to explore how we can partner to support your growth.

Rachael Maltiel Swenson

Coaching FAQ

Common Questions

Let’s Talk. Schedule a complimentary consultation to explore how we can partner to support your growth.

Rachael Maltiel Swenson

Let’s Talk.
Schedule a complimentary consultation to explore how we can partner to support your growth.