Coaching ...

Coaching is a training or development process via which an individual is supported while achieving a specific personal or professional competence result or goal. The individual receiving coaching may be referred to as coachee. Occasionally, the term coaching may be applied to an informal relationship between two individuals where one has greater experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the other goes through a learning process, but coaching differs from mentoring by focusing upon competence specifics, as opposed to general overall development. Some coaches use a style in which they ask questions and offer opportunities that will challenge the coachee to find answers from within him/herself. This facilitates the learner to discover answers and new ways of being based on their values, preferences and unique perspectives. Professional coaching is an ongoing relationship which focuses on the client taking action toward the realization of their vision, goal or desires. Coaching uses a process of inquiry and personal discovery to build the client’s level of awareness and responsibility, and provides structure, support and feedback. The coaching process helps clients both define and achieve professional and personal goals faster and with more ease than would be possible otherwise. 7 Reasons Why Coaching Works Coaching accelerates progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. It concentrates on where you are today and what you are willing to do to get where you want to be tomorrow. Coaching provides a transformative space for you to experience easier and accelerated growth to move you towards your passion and goals. Here are seven reasons why it works: ◦Pattern interruption. The structure and support within the professional coaching relationship serves to interrupt the unconscious patterns of behavior‚ creating an opportunity to stop the business as usual, consciously look at what is happening and perhaps choose differently. ◦Conscious goal commitment. What you focus on expands. If you make a conscious commitment to move forward with a goal or intention, you’ve immediately increased your chances of realizing that goal or intention. ◦Clarity. Coaching helps you to define what you want and how you’re going to get there. Once defined, coaching keeps you moving forward toward the realization of that goal or intention. ◦Chunk down the big goals. An ongoing coaching relationship helps you define and take the first step towards that big goal‚ effectively moving out of inertia. You start to think in terms of, “What can I do today to help me move towards my goal?” Your coach is there to keep you on track all the way to the realization of your goal. ◦Accountability. Making a commitment to your coach increases the consciousness that is brought to that commitment. It is no longer simply something you want to do, but something you have committed to doing. Big difference. ◦Real-time feedback. The ongoing conversation and action plan allow for immediate feedback. New ideas or concerns can be quickly addressed and appropriate changes adopted to keep the momentum going. ◦Inquiry. Questions and answers are at the heart of coaching. Thought and action are inspired through the process of inquiry . . . what do you want?, what stands in your way?, and, how are your going to get there?