What is coaching?
Coaching is a process of support and guidance aimed at developing individuals, teams and/or organizations. The coaching process takes the individual on a journey of self-discovery through consciousness and reflection giving the inner growth needed to achieve goals, whether they are personal or professional.
Coaching is used by companies to improve the performance of their professionals. This improvement in individual performance leads to overall improvement in business.
Differences between Coaching and Therapy
Therapy focuses on the past in a search for causes which influence present behaviour with the aim to solve the client’s current problems and if necessary initiate behavioural change. It is not goal-oriented.
Whereas, coaching always focuses on the present and a desired future. Its fundamental aim is to encourage personal and professional development. It is goal-oriented.
Another key difference is that therapy usually addresses mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, while coaching drives an individual to a higher level of success.
Differences between Coaching and Consulting
A consultant focuses on a specific problem and offers a solution.
Whereas, a coach will provide the appropriate methodology for clients to find their own solutions.
While a consultant advises on solutions, a coach helps clients come up with solutions themselves. Thus, not only solving the current problem, but at the same time establishing guidelines to tackle both current and future difficulties.
Another key difference is that the consultant provides a series of recommendations to specific problems and it is left up to the client to implement them. Coaching is a collaborative process in which the coach and the client produce an action plan together and work hand in hand to achieve the objectives.
Differences between Coaching and Mentoring
Mentoring is a process whereby a professional with extensive experience in a particular sector helps a less experienced professional grow. This process usually involves the completion of a single or set of tasks which enable the mentee to learn “hand in hand” with the mentor.
In mentoring the basis of the client’s learning is the experience of the mentor. The mentor provides examples through their experience and knowledge, and offers advice and tactics for the learner to assimilate, therefore allowing them to continue their journey without further help.
On the other hand, in coaching, the coach never shares their experience with the client and it is the client himself who learns from their own experience and knowledge.
Why do you need to hire a Coach?
Coaching helps clients to think for themselves, to find answers, to know and grow their own potential, to accelerate their trip down the path to success in relationships, business, sports and all aspects of life.
A coach can help you achieve all your goals, overcome your limitations, stop unwanted behaviour and resolve possible conflict. In addition, you will be able to identify your true motivations and needs, and develop new skills and resources while implementing and strengthening existing ones.
In short, a coach will help you to become aware of what is truly important to you and how you want to live your life.
What do organizations need to hire a coach?
All organizations need a coach to help them define strategic lines and action plans through which management of teams and relationships can be improved. The ultimate goal is to improve and enhance the optimal performance of all the people within the organization. The coach provides all members of the group with tools and techniques to overcome potential conflicts that may arise both internally and externally.
The team as a whole learns self-motivation through proper planning and execution of objectives, the ability to manage change and intelligently deal with adversity, as well as learning optimal and productive communication. All of this adhering to the culture and values of the organization.
Coaching Process
There are three major objectives of Coaching regardless of who the client is.
Raising Awareness
The coaching process builds the client’s self-awareness. The client realizes where they are and where they could be.
Taking Responsibility
Second, you will generate responsibility. That is take responsibility for your own life. At this stage you will discover the tools and techniques needed to do this.
Reaching your Goals
You learn to believe in yourself, enabling you to focus on the actions needed to achieve all your goals.
Code of Ethics // The International Coach Federation (ICF) has developed a code of conduct to which all coaches must adhere. In addition, this same federation has developed a system to address situations of violation of ethical principles. The ethical code, includes aspects such as client confidentiality in all topics covered in the session.