What is coaching and how does it work?
Dear Readers, since it is the first post in our blog, which is about coaching, I was thinking in various directions on how to write the first post today. I was lost in an ocean of words, but suddenly something happened and it flashed in my mind where I was going, why shouldn’t I just keep it simple?
I will start with the basics, coaching, and will then move on to business coaching, professional coaching, a few tips and expert reviews.
What is coaching? Coaching is “a process that enables learning and development to occur and thus performance to improve. To be a successful a Coach requires a knowledge and understanding of process as well as the variety of styles, skills and techniques that are appropriate to the context in which the coaching takes place“
Above definition is taken from “The Manager as Coach and Mentor (1999) page 8″, The book is written by Eric Parsloe who is a respected author and Director of OCM In light of the above definition, let’s continue.
Coaching is a process or combination of processes that enables clients to achieve their full potential. Coaching services may be offered paid or free depending upon the business, profession or coach; however regardless of whether the coaching session is at cost or free, coaching sessions will share one or more of the following characteristics:
- Facilitate the exploration of needs, motivations, desires, skills and thought processes to assist the individual in making real, lasting change.
- Use questioning techniques to facilitate client’s own thought processes in order to identify solutions and actions rather than takes a wholly directive approach.
- Support the client in setting appropriate goals and methods of assessing progress in relation to these goals
- Observe, listen and ask questions to understand the client’s situation
- creatively apply tools and techniques which may include one-to-one training, facilitating, counseling & networking.
- Encourage a commitment to action and the development of lasting personal growth & change.
- Maintain unconditional positive regard for the client, which means that the coach is at all times supportive and non-judgmental of the client, their views, lifestyle and aspirations.
- Ensure that clients develop personal competencies and do not develop unhealthy dependencies on the coaching relationship.
- Evaluate outcomes of processes, using objective measures wherever possible to ensure the relationship is successful and the client is achieving their personal goals.
- Encourage clients to continually improve competencies and to develop new developmental alliances where necessary to achieve their goals.
- Work within their area of personal competence.
- Possess qualifications and experience in the areas that skills-transfer coaching is offered.
- Manage the relationship to ensure the client receives the appropriate level of service and that programs are neither too short, nor too long.
Think about the above, is coaching right for you?
We feature various coaches from time to time in our blog and in our blog roll on the right hand side – feel free to check them out.
Until Next Time,
Related Articles:
- Life Coaching
- Generate More Coaching Business
- 7 Things that Will Make You a Better Coach
- Personal Coaching
- Business Coaching
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