Frequently Asked Questions

What is coaching?

Coaching is about getting you to “what's next.” It’s about helping you to determine what skills, abilities, and perspectives are needed to achieve your goals. I believe in coaching the whole person, as one’s work and personal life often intersect.

What kind of coaching do you do? 

I do a wide variety of coaching, including executive, leadership and life coaching. Think of me as an expert on how to help people develop rather than an expert on a given topic. In my coaching work, I have helped executives, artists/creatives and entrepreneurs discover the necessary skills, perspectives, and approaches to hone in on what’s next.

How do I get the most from coaching? 

My most successful clients are ready to discuss the change they are after. I also recommend a touch of bravery, authenticity, and an open mind. Also, it is good to set aside a bit of time each day for reflection.  I often recommend practices to build new skills/abilities like journaling and meditation. 

Why do I need a coach? 

You may need a coach, or you may need something else. I believe that hiring an experienced coach with a proven ability to connect and empathize with clients is a great way to develop oneself. However, there are lots of paths, and just like you should find the right fit in a coach, I only work with clients who are the right fit for my style of coaching. 

Do you get results? 

I certainly do and stand by my work. I have never had a client tell me they did not receive enough value as compared to my fee. I coach with my whole heart, but your results will be up to your effort level. 

Do you coach groups or individuals?

I coach both. Some of my individual clients have even returned in a group scenario after their teams saw the positive results of our work together. 

Are you a life coach?

Yes, but I’m also more than that. I believe in holistic coaching from an Integral Perspective. This means  I coach the whole person. How we live and relate to others and ourselves shows up at work and vice versa. 

What is Executive or Leadership Coaching? 

My opinion is that these are dressed-up phrases for coaching professionals and business owners. I have coached real-estate agents, PhDs, and many CEOs. I have also coached solopreneurs and even entire leadership teams. 

What is the ROI for coaching? 

The value of coaching can feel a bit squishy and hard to determine. However, I can confidently say that I have not ever had an unhappy client. My skills and education are about zeroing in on what’s blocking you and addressing this. How valuable is that? It depends on how expensive this block has become for you or your company. In my experience with actual clients, coaching has been life-changing, invaluable, and at the very least, extremely positive.  

Is coaching just another word for therapy?

No. Therapy deals with clinical issues and trauma, and it’s a great tool to use for those areas. My coaching practice is about helping you move forward, unbounded and unlocked. Sometimes emotional things come up, but we aren’t going to spend time talking about your parents or childhood all that much. We might look at a belief that was formed in that time and see how it is serving you now. 

Is therapy a replacement for coaching?

I don’t believe it is. I bring a very different set of business and life management skills to your coaching program and can give you different types of practices and perspectives than a traditional therapist. 

How often will we meet? 

Typically, I meet with clients every two weeks. Some clients prefer three weeks and that is usually okay. Weekly sessions are doable, but usually settle back to every two weeks after we get going. Longer than three weeks between sessions often results in some fogginess for clients, so I don’t recommend it.

How long is a coaching session? 

I ask that you plan 90 minutes for our first two sessions. We may not need it, but it is good to set aside a dedicated time for this type of work and to honor that time.

How long is a coaching program?

This really depends on a variety of factors but most coaching programs take 6 to 9 months to complete. Some clients continue on in a maintenance program or do single sessions ad hoc based on need. 

How do I schedule an appointment?

Please go to my contact page, or send me an email: dave@davehilljr.com.

How do I know if you are the right coach for me? 

We need to meet and see what we think of our chemistry. If you are serious about coaching (and not trying to sell me lead generation services),  please contact me through my contact page and we will schedule a complimentary 30-minute introductory call.

What kind of contract or commitment do you require?

I work on a session to session basis and send an invoice at the end of each month. I only want to coach clients who are engaged and interested in experiencing the results. 

What's your cancellation policy? 

I require 48 hours notice to cancel our meeting without payment.

What do you charge for your services?

I use a sliding scale and price my programs for each client based on need. Let’s discuss what a fair fee would be for your program.

What’s your background?

The Why Dave Page is likely a good place to start, as is my LinkedIn profile. If you have any questions about what you see there, please contact me and I am happy to tell you more. 

Are you a certified coach?

Yes. I am certified as a Professional Coach with the International Coaching Federation. I am also certified via Integral Coaching Canada as an Integral Master Coach™ and a Certified Enneagram Practitioner with IEQ9. In addition to my several coaching certifications, I have a BA in Marketing from Seattle University.

What industries or types or organizations do you coach?

I have coached a wide variety of organizations and leaders, but most of my experience is in high tech (software, mobile and big tech), media (multimedia, sound, music, film), and manufacturing.  I was also an executive for two successful startups Ableton and iZotope.

Do you provide references?

Yes, I can provide references upon request. I also have many testimonials throughout my site and more to share if that is of interest.