Coaching is a form of learning, where a person - a coach - supports someone else - a coachee - to create learning and self-development in a way that benefits them. One simple example is probably that of a sports coach. Here, the coach supports the individual to improve their performance and get better results - depending on what they want to achieve. For a golfer, the goal might be winning a major tournament, or simply improving their grip. The role of the coach is to apply specific principles of success, in a way that creates experiential learning and improvement for the golfer. Coaching is normally a conversation, or series of conversations, one person has with another. The coach intends to produce a conversation that will benefit the other person, the coachee, in a way that relates to the coachee's learning and progress.  For example, coaching might consist of two people talking in a room about things the coachee wants to change. This is sometimes called `off-line' coaching. It might also be one person observing another person doing something, e.g. chairing a meeting, then dis­cussing that afterwards. This can be called on-line coaching. 

Why do people have coaching?

People enlist the services of a coach because they want to improve their situations and achieve goals. They want to learn new ways of thinking and approaching situations, in order to get better results. Common goals might be becoming more organized and effective at work, gaining confidence in certain situations, or simply relating to other people more effectively.

A skilled coach uses a combination of observation, questioning, listening and feedback to create a conversation rich in insight and learning. For the coachee, they will experience focus and attention that enables them to develop a greater awareness and appreciation of their own circumstances. In addition, they'll also create new ways to resolve ­issues, produce better results and generally achieve their goals more easily. 

Common benefits people experience from coaching include:

What coaching is not:

Structured training e.g. classroom learning, therapy, psychoanalysis or psychotherapy. Whilst coaching is not therapy, and should not be viewed as therapy, it does provide a viable alternative to people who may have previously considered some form of counselling to resolve a situation. For example, coaching promotes a greater self-awareness, and fuller appreciation of our own situation and circumstances. Sometimes, change can be promoted by a simple shift in perspective. Barriers of self-belief such as "I can't" or "I don't" can be challenged in order to encourage fresh approaches and ideas. 

A way of someone else solving your problems for you:

Coaching is based on the principle that an individual is ultimately responsible for their lives and the results they're getting. If we acknowledge that we are responsible for some­thing, it follows that we have power and influence over it. For example, if you're no ­getting the results at work that you want, a coach might encourage you to: 

• Understand that situation more clearly
• Develop new ideas or approaches for such situations
• Take constructive action that gets you the results you want 

What a coach will not do is instruct you to go and do something specific or they themselves go and do ­it for you. If they did, the coach would be taking responsibility - and so power – away from you. 

What you can expect from your coach:

The role of coach provides a kind of support distinct from any other. Your coach will focus solely on your situation with the kind of attention and commitment that you rarely experience elsewhere. Your coach will listen to you, with a genuine curiosity to understand who you are, what you think and generally how you experience the world. Your coach will reflect back to you, with the kind of objective assessment that creates real clarity. During conversations, your coach will encourage you to rise to challenges, overcome obstacles and get into action. A coaching relationship is like no other, simply because of its combination of objective ­detachment and commitment to the goals of the individual. Because the relationship is based on trust and openness, the contents of your discus­sions will be confidential. Where a third party has requested the coaching for you, we will agree with you the best way to keep them involved or updated. 

What your coach will expect from you:

In return, your coach will encourage you to stay committed to the coaching process. That means showing up for sessions, taking your own notes where appropriate, and keeping any agreements you make during sessions. In addition, your coach needs you to be open to the potential of coaching. That means contributing to conversations honestly and openly. For example, if something isn't working, your coach needs to know. If you have concerns or problems, voice them.  If you know why a problem is occurring, say so. The strength and power of coaching relates strongly to the level of openness and trust between the coach and the coachee. 

How might coaching benefit you?

The following questions will help you begin to form goals for a coaching relationship. They are not intended to identify specifics, but rather encourage thoughts or ideas. Please take a few minutes to sit quietly with the questions, writing down your answers on a blank sheet of paper.

• Personal performance/effectiveness 
• Career development, progression
• Ability to lead/manage others
• Motivation, fulfilment   

• Work/Life balance
• Social life Hobbies/Interests.

• Your partner
• Your immediate family
• Your friends 
• Your extended family, i.e. relatives.

• Life experiences
• Formal training/development.

• At work
• At home
• In your community.

• Health
• Nutrition and eating patterns
• Fitness, exercise, relaxation etc.

• What would you like to do less of?
• What would you like to do more of?