In my untangling work, I ask my clients questions and I listen to what they say and then ask them more questions – and I sometimes help them choose between options.
But is that coaching? Well that’s a good question, which I will try to answer below.
So what is coaching? I think that coaching is about 3 different things:
- Listening and acting as a sounding board for someone’s ideas or challenges
- Accountability to help someone make progress towards a goal
- Asking questions in a structured way to help someone find their own answers.
I would say that the last of those is what I’d call ‘proper coaching’ (pure coaching) – with a structured approach, using tried and tested coaching models. I’d expect a coach offering this type of coaching to have done a training course (although coaching is not a regulated industry, so not all coaches have qualifications or accreditation).
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”
I successfully completed an associate coaching diploma with Optimus Coaching Academy, which has given me a qualification that is accredited by the ICF, EMCC and AC. It has taught me how to use coaching skills, how to hold space for someone to find their own answers, and how to structure a coaching session – among many other things.
If you’re interested in finding out about my current services, please visit here to see details and to arrange a chat to see how I can help you.
