COACHING: a learning tool that has special emphasis on individual growth and development

Coaching is not the same as counseling or mentoring, instructing, teaching, training or consulting.  Therapy general focuses on helping the client to feel better about himself on a particular situation he is in; so that he may function better within that context.  Coaching on the other hand, can and will continue to push proactively into spaces and places where normal functioning can be enhanced, not just treated.

Mentoring is the sharing of greater experience with some one less experienced, creating a hierarchical relationship, where the mentor guides the mentee on ‘’how things are done around this place’’ or ’’what the path to success is in this company’’.  Mentor shares his wisdom that he gained through many years of experience.

Mentoring and coaching diverge around goals, empowerment and resources and strives to develop these, whereas mentoring may supply of these.  There are overlapping areas.  In coaching relationship there is an element of mentoring when it is appropriate.

Consulting is another activity and is usually about a process of analysis, definition issues, development of solutions and making recommendations.  Consultants come, find, sort, solve and then they leave.

Coach analyses, test, and interpret results too. It helps us plan our focus and determine needs as well as strengths that can be leveraged on.  The role of the person being coached is to own his issues, develop his situations and builds his own future with the coach’s help.  A coach will help to keep track the coachees’ needs, check priorities against values, goals and needs, and make progress.  But a coach will not solve anything as a consultant does.  A coach just shares his knowledge to help solve issues by brainstorming on resources, ideas and suggestions.

 

Coaching involves a unique process that focuses on developing the person; his own goals, resources and accomplishments, and carries its own processes, assumptions and theories.

STEPS OF COACHING
1.	Setting the foundation -ethical guidelines -professional standards Establishing coaching agreement
2.	Co-creating the relationship[ -establishing trust and intimacy -presence
3.	Communicating effectively -active listening -powerful questioning -direct communication
4.	Facilitating learning and results -creating awareness -designing actions -planning and goal setting -managing progress and accountability

Coaching has been adapted by a growing number of organizations as a learning tool that has special emphasis on individual growth and development.  It allows for specific groups to be targeted.

John Read

Helping you to grow

TheStar Tuesday 2 August 2011