Coaching is a powerful process designed to help clients get from where they currently are to where they would prefer to be. The current state is typically undesirable and clients know they want to be somewhere else in order to feel fulfilled, happier or more successful, but they haven’t been able to move towards their goals on their own.
Simply put, coaching helps people get through and to the other side of any personal transition, whether in life or at work. A coach actively engages clients in the process of self-understanding, and supports them in solving problems which are interfering with personal happiness and the achievement of goals.
To quote a January 2013 USA Today article entitled “Coaches help clients meet life goals”:
Life coaches are a modern mix of trusted adviser, strategist, friend and cheerleader, working to help clients define and achieve their goals.
Depending on who the coaching client is (individual or corporate), coaching generally falls into two categories: personal, which strives for growth through self-discovery and achievable strategies; and executive or business coaching, which works with corporations to improve the work environment and/or the growth of its employees. Individual coaching clients are either a private person, a couple or a family, whereas business coaching clients can be any type of company: private or public.
As a future-oriented modality, coaching moves clients toward their goals in an efficient and productive manner. Through regular meetings and homework assignments between sessions, the coach and client work as a team to:
- Clarify and define goals.
- Understand and overcome obstacles.
- Put achievable action plans in place.
- Implement the plans.
Find out WHY coaching might be a good idea for you:
The International Coach Federation defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today’s uncertain and complex environment.
Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach’s responsibility is to:
- Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve.
- Encourage client self-discovery.
- Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies.
- Hold the client responsible and accountable.
This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.
Find out more about Coaching as explained by the International Coach Federation.