Professional Coaching
In order to effectively apply coaching to transformation, it would be helpful to understand these terms and concepts. Why is coaching different from consulting or psychotherapy/counseling? There are many definitions of coaching and I like several of them as defined by Stoltzfus (2005), Kimsey-House, et al (2011), and Flaherty (2010). But when I think of coaching, I think of i
t as a conversation that helps people think things through, it helps you think bigger because of the questions the Coach asks to get you to begin thinking bigger. Coaching engages people to raise their awareness of the limiting beliefs which may be holding them captive or influencing them in some way, either in a positive or negative way. A coach can help people explore areas they may have never gone to before as well as help them make a plan and take action to get to where they would like to go. Stoltzfus (2005) describes the coach as “a catalyst and an important element in the process of accelerating change”. A coach is very different from consulting or counseling because the focus isn’t about the coach’s experience like that of a consultant or focused on past hurts like that of a counselor. A Coach is:
• a partner for a period of time to come alongside you to help you get to where you would like to go in your life, career or business.
• is more focused on your growth and success than you are • listens and believes in you, your value, and your potential in life • Helps you discover your potential and helps you move forward with it • Helps you see and feel your dreams and then helps you develop a plan to move
toward them. A Coach Is Not: A person who focuses on addressing past issues or that gives you advice. Not like a: teacher, trainer, facilitator, counselor, therapist, consultant, advisor, mentor, or good friend. Below is a table of descriptions I’ve used to show the differences between coaching and other forms of practice. By John Mullins
