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It's not consulting; it's not therapy. There are so many descriptions of what coaching is all about.
Even after the two years it took for me to graduate from Coach U, my experience to date tells me that none of these descriptions is adequate. I found the following summary from Coach U that might be helpful to your understanding for starters, though . . .
Some facts about coaching . . .
 | Assist people to identify specific goals and then reach those goals faster and with ease. |
| Provide client with the tools, perspective and structure to accomplish more through a process of accountability. |
| Reframe beliefs and create a point of focus for clients to reflect upon. |
Coaching is similar to consulting. However, consulting provides temporary or intermittent solutions. Coaching is a consistent, on going relationship where the coach stays with the client to help implement new skills, changes and goals. Another distinction is that consulting often involves dispensing advice, telling people what they should do. Coaching is different in that it focuses on assisting an entity to discover a solution on its own.
Coaching is not therapy. Where therapy brings understanding and awareness of the past to a client; coaching provides the support and strategy to make changes based on the awareness a client holds. Coaching is movement oriented and action based.
Coaching includes several principles from sports coaching like teamwork, meeting and exceeding potential in order to be one's best. Unlike sports coaching, the results are not win or lose based. Coaches focus on strengthening their clients' skills from the first session forward. Any amount of coaching will benefit a client from this perspective.
A supportive friend is wonderful to have in life, yet does not hold the objectivity and distance that a coach does. A coach is a professional who is trusted to work with you on the most important aspects of your life and/or business. A coach offers a different perspective of the truth because of the emotional distance the professional relationship offers.
Corporations, for coaching related to:
| Organizations/teams |
| Leaderships and executives |
| Small businesses and entrepreneurs |
Individuals, for coaching related to:
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Relationships |
| Career and transitions |
| Lifestyle |
| Fitness |
Coaches are hired by corporations and people because:
| They want more. |
| They want to grow and be more productive. |
| They want to discover innovative ways of do things more effortlessly. |
Coaches assist any client in attaining all three, quickly.
Any of the above! The 'common denominator' between a client and work; a client and play; a client and relationships; a client and productivity IS THE CLIENT. Coaching inevitably works with all aspects of personal, business and professional goals relating to who the client is specifically.
Coaches focus where their clients need them to the most. Part of their discussions often include:
| Where are you now in relation to where you want to be? |
| What are your goals? Are they based in your values? |
| In order to get what you want from any situation, what are the areas of strength and what are the areas for improvement and focus? |
By creating the focus of coaching around what a client wants to achieve; coaches assist their clients to maintain focus on that which will make them most successful.
Why is coaching becoming so popular?
Can I hire a coach just for a short-term project?
Yes. Some clients hire a coach to help them accomplish specific goals or
projects. Usually, however, the client keeps working with the coach after that
because of the synergy created and the support the relationship provides in
setting and meeting goals.
How long must I commit if I start working with a coach?
Most coaches ask for a minimum 3 month commitment. There is always the option
to discontinue coaching immediately if the partnership is not working for the
client. Some coaches ask for a written agreement or contract. For corporate
clients, a signed agreement is simply good business.
What does it cost to hire a coach?
The cost for coaching varies depending on the type of coaching a client is
looking for, the duration of coaching, whether it is personal or corporate
coaching and the nature of the project (if there is one). I describe my
approaches more specifically on my "How it
works" page.
