What is coaching?

What is coaching?

Coaching is a process where a coach supports a client to make a change, learn something new or achieve goals. This process happens through conversation, and can take place face-to-face, or online. 

The aim is to help the client make progress in a certain area of their life, at work or to overcome a problem they’re struggling with. Here we look at the way coaching works, what makes it effective and your next steps if you’re feeling ready to start your coaching journey. 

How coaching works

A key belief that underpins coaching is that we already have the answers we need within us. A coach’s role is to help the client find these answers. This is done through several conversational techniques including questioning, active listening, observation, and reflection. 

When these techniques are used, the client gains greater self-awareness and often an insight they hadn’t seen previously. Having a objective person available to provide focused attention gives the client space to understand how to move forward. 

To ensure progress is being made, coaching often focuses on goal setting. Clients will typically be encouraged to create a list of action points following a session so they know what steps are needed to keep moving forward.  

The benefits of coaching

Working with a coach offers several benefits. Regardless of your aims, dedicating time and space to personal/professional development / health helps to improve confidence and a sense of self-worth. 

If you’re feeling lost or unsure about something, coaching can provide clarity, direction, and focus. If you’re struggling to make a change, coaching can help raise your self-awareness and both understand and change certain behaviours. 

If you’re finding it difficult to motivate yourself and make things happen in your life or work, coaching can offer accountability and help you define your purpose. And finally, if you simply need to learn a new skill (from sports to building emotional resilience) coaching can help accelerate your learning. 

Coaching relies on the client’s commitment to the process and an open, honest relationship with the coach.

With a focus of forward progression, unlocking potential and achieving goals, it’s no surprise that many people call coaching ‘life changing’.

Mentoring

In the coaching industry you may have noticed the term mentor being used. A mentor is usually someone who has experience in a certain area and is therefore able to support someone with less experience. You may notice this happening in the workplace, when a new starter is paired up with someone who’s been in the role for longer. 

Some people prefer to call themselves mentors instead of coaches. Sharing their knowledge, mentors tend to home in on a specific area of expertise. Mentors will often use coaching techniques in their work however, questioning their mentees and encouraging them to make their own decisions to increase confidence. 

If, after reading this, you’re feeling ready to start your coaching journey, here are some next steps we advise:

Identify what you would like coaching to support you with, what would your goal be?

Ask yourself what format of coaching would suit your needs best right now, face-to-face or online?

Use our search tool to browse coaches listed with us.

Read more about them and the way they work on their profiles, consider if they could be a good fit for you.

Contact the coach and set up an initial session/chat.