In my experience, the concept of coaching is confusing. Many of my clients initially have no frame of reference for coaching, and others think they know what it is and will use the word “coach” but, when asked to define it, will describe it as “giving advice,” “telling someone what to do,” or “sharing expertise.”
That isn’t coaching; I would argue it is the exact opposite.
Let me give you my perspective crafted from thousands of hours of coaching of what I think works well and what doesn’t when defining coaching.
Coaching is a process or an experience designed to enhance a client’s performance, capacities, or behaviors and help them move past self-limiting beliefs and unlock their potential for immediate impact.
Frankly, it took me a long time to get here, so I am not surprised that clients continue to struggle with the concept of coaching; it is a bit of a somewhat vague mouthful.
But that’s it. A coach helps you get there as a guide, trusted thought partner, and general account-able-a-buddy.
It might look something like this:
Coaching is a method to achieve ambitious goals, bigger than you would normally set, and go after them.
Coaching can help you set meaningful goals and reach your full potential through goal-setting, planning, and execution.
Coaching is self-reflection through dialogue to generate one’s self-awareness toward desired change.
Kind of the exact opposite of goal-setting, this is more free-style, the jazz of self-discovery bringing reflection and self-awareness about what’s important to a client to foster change.
Coaching is developing a professional relationship with a trusted thought partner to help clients explore, be vulnerable, and ultimately reach their full potential.
My clients' biggest misconception regarding coaching is that they equate it with consulting or mentoring.
I have found the matrix below helpful in getting my head around the differences; perhaps this might help you too.