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.

Coaching is a non-directive, collaborative developmental process which encourages clients to reflect, challenge assumptions, consider new perspectives, uncover insights and identify actions to move towards their goals.

In practical terms, coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them (Whitmore, 2017).

Coaching sessions generally begin by pinpointing your specific goals. Using a range of questions and drawing on diverse models and techniques, your coach will help you explore different perspectives, challenge assumptions, uncover valuable insights, and identify the necessary actions to achieve your objectives. Throughout the conversation, the emphasis remains on a collaborative partnership, with both you and the coach working together towards your goals.

Coaching is tailored to your specific needs, unlocking untapped creativity, productivity, and potential. Coaching is a forward-looking process, building on your strengths and addressing areas for development.

The benefits of coaching include gaining greater awareness and focus, better enabling you to seize opportunities and face challenges with clarity and confidence.

An ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, reported coaching benefits including:

• Improved communication skills

• Increased self-esteem/self-confidence

• Increased productivity

• Optimized individual/team work performance

• Improved work/life balance

• Increased well-being

• Improved business management strategies

• Expanded professional career opportunities

Coaching is like a focused spotlight, zeroing in on specific goals and action steps for professional growth. It's collaborative and non-directive, helping you unlock your potential without telling you what to do.

Mentoring, on the other hand, involves guidance from someone more experienced in your field, sharing their expertise and insights. Mentoring is more directive and often longer-term.

Other forms of professional development, like training and workshops, are more about teaching specific skills or knowledge. They are structured and often led by a subject expert.

It is very important to find a coach who has trained and qualified with a reputable organisation and who either has or is working towards a credential with a recognised coaching professional body such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Association for Coaching (AC),or EMCC.

Professionally trained and qualified coaches adhere to codes of ethics from these or other professional bodies.

It is also critical that your coach is someone who you can build rapport with and trust, to ensure that your coaching work is effective and takes place within an open and safe environment.

The initial consultation is the perfect time to assess if your potential coach is a good fit and someone you can work with effectively and comfortably.

Contact Nick for a free initial consultation to find out more about coaching can help you achieve your goals.