On what coaching is... and what it’s not
Curious about coaching and how it can positively impact your life? Read on to discover more.
Coaching is a relatively new discipline in the personal development field. While it has been an integral part of sports training for many years, it’s only recently become an option available for people who want to improve their personal and professional lives… no sprints or burpees required!
If you don’t fancy reading to the end of this post, here’s the hot take:
Coaching is a process that will bring about transformation and change in your life
Coaching is a safe space for you to explore a range of topics and issues in order for you to become more empowered and self-reliant
Coaching believes in your internal knowledge and skills. You have everything you need within you, so a coach is there to help bring out your inherent brilliance and assist with accountability
Once you go through a coaching experience, you will be able to use the skills you learn to coach yourself in future
If it sounds like coaching is for you, please email Rose at rose@vesselwellbeing.com to start a conversation. If you’d like to learn more before you jump in, keep on reading…
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as;
“… partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
As Tara Mohr, bestselling author and expert on women’s leadership and wellbeing, says;
“The quality of our lives – and of our society – will depend on how we work with the potential and the limitations in ourselves. Coaching is that work – uncovering possibilities and digging into challenges in us.”
While it’s important to understand what coaching is, it’s equally important to know what it’s not!
Although there are similarities between other personal development disciplines that support people and organisations through periods of change, coaching is not mentoring, therapy or consultancy.
Coaching is also not about giving or receiving advice. As a coach believes that you have all the answers you need within you, it’s our privilege to go on a journey with you and ask you thought-provoking questions in order to draw those answers out, so you can fill your own precious vessel and chart your own path.
Coaching is a discipline that abides by specific ethical and professional boundaries, and focuses on a structured process of change to address present day issues, with defined outcomes. There is an ICF Code of Ethics that many coaches adhere to (including me!), and it is our ethical duty to advise you if we felt that you would benefit more from another approach, such as mentoring or therapy.
OUR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
A successful coaching relationship depends on mutual trust and intimacy, your past experiences with coaching and your commitment to bringing about change. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities are key to achieving a successful outcome.
In 2004, Jenny Rogers developed a set of principles that she considered core to coaching, which define the roles and responsibilities that coach and coachee have.
The client is resourceful
The coach’s role is to develop the client’s resourcefulness through skilful questioning, challenge and support
Coaching addresses the whole person - past, present and future; work and private lives
The client sets the agenda
The coach and client are equals
Coaching is about change and action
So that’s a quick starter for ten about what coaching is and is not. Make sure you subscribe to this free newsletter, as I’ll be going into more detail about the coaching process and how it can bring positive benefits to yours and others lives.