Coaching - what it really is

Success Problem

Most people are already aware that Coaching exists, but in many cases it is understood incorrectly - e.g. as mentoring or consulting.

Impact

Coaching is efficient development method for individuals and teams. It's based on these main principles: - everyone is unique and is the best expert on his/her life - everyone has the (inner) resources required to solve his/her life situations. Coaching supports people in taking full responsibility for their lives. In specific difficult situations people could feel that there is no solution or that they are "victims of circumstances" without real influence. The role of Coach is to shift the focus from problem to its solution. Coach is not analyzing the causes, but is interested in the desired target state and the Client's resources available for achieving it (e.g. previous experiences, skills, abilities, motivators). Coaching is a dialogue between Coach and Client where Coach is giving questions and Client is finding the answers. At the beginning Client specifies his/her goal to be achived via coaching {e.g. achieving specific target state, making an important decision,...). Then, by giving targeted questions, related to various aspects of Client's goal, Coach creates a frame that allows Client to find the best solution/way to achieve the goal, helps Client to overcome standard thinking schemes and uncover new views and solutions. It is important to realise, that Coach is never judging the Client or giving advices. Coaches role is not to be an expert on Client's life or career, but an expert on the coaching process, supporting Client in the role of "self-expert". This is the main difference to other development methods like mentoring, consulting or lecturing.

Recommendation

The coaching principles and tools can be applied in any goal-oriented communication - e.g. when managing people and teams. Incorporating them into company culture can improve the communication and increase the engagement and productivity of employees. Being familiar with Coaching principles and applying them in management style can greatly contribute to effective leadership.

Category

• Engagement & Motivation
• Leadership
• Self management
• Personal Communication
• Result orientation