What is coaching?
In the coaching profession, it helps us as practitioners to define terms when we work with our clients. We want to have a firm understanding of what our client means when they say statements such as, “I want to see my business grow.” or “I want to make more money online.”
This could mean different things to each person. I always ask my clients to define what a concept or word means to them. It allows me to visualize what they intended to mean.
With that in mind, I’d like to share what coaching is by the expert definitions I use when I think of coaching.
The first definition I will use comes from the International Coaching Federation (otherwise known as ICF for short). The International Coaching Federation was the first organization developed by Thomas Leonard to give coaching as a profession a set of guidelines and an ethical code to adhere to.
Here is the International Coaching Federation definition on their about page states:
The “ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential (para. 16).”
The second definition I will use comes from Coach U, Inc.. Coach U, Inc. was the first coaching school that was also developed by Thomas Leonard to teach the International Coaching Federation’s set of guidelines and ethical code to individuals who wanted to train to become a coach as a profession.
Here is the Coach U follows the ICF’s definition, but also describes in their personal and corporate training handbook. Coach U’s Personal and Corporate Coach Training Handbook (2005, p. 10) states:
“Coaching is a catalyzing relationship that accelerates the process of performance; it’s about the individuals’ and/or organizations’ identifying the purpose and living out that purpose.”
Having this definition and a description help me communicate in my own mind what coaching is to me.
BP Business Coaching’s definition of coaching: Coaching is a professional development process that aims to help individuals improve their performance and reach their goals. It is a collaborative partnership between a coach and a coachee, where the coach acts as a guide, mentor, and sounding board, helping the coachee identify and achieve their aspirations.
Coaching is a powerful tool for small business owners’ professional development and business growth.
BP Business Coaching will help your organization with branding, its website, and marketing. The goal is to enhance the growth of your brand reputation, improve its market share, and increase revenue. We provide the education, support, guidance, and structure needed to achieve your goals and reach your business’s full potential. We will help you achieve to improve your knowledge and skill sets, grow your brand, and increase your sales.
With its focus on the future, coaching is a valuable investment in your professional and business growth.
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