What is coaching?

What is coaching? That is the million-dollar question and frankly it depends on who you ask…

Ask a coach and you’ll get this response (or something very similar): Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

The ICF states “Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives.” The main objective for a coach is to help people improve their performances and enhance the quality of their lives. Through extensive training, certified coaches are trained to listen, to observe and to customize their approach to individual client needs. Unlike most other forms of personal development, coaches seek to elicit solutions and strategies from the client; they believe the client is naturally creative and resourceful. Since this creativity and resourcefulness is something that the client already possesses the coach's job is to provide the support to enhance the skills and resources.

Often people confuse coaching with mentoring, counseling or therapy. Although coaching draws from several of these disciplines it is a distinct and independent discipline. Coaching is not to be seen as taking the place of these other professions, nor is it in conflict with them. In fact, coaching often works in compliment with these fields.

When searching for a coach for yourself, we recommend that you interview three different coaches to see who best fits your needs and style. Many coaches offer a complimentary coaching session to help you make a thorough evaluation, so take advantage of the offer.