What Is A Coach – What Is Business Coaching?

When I first graduated from Coaching School, the concept was still fairly new. I was often asked “What Is A Coach?” Or “What Is Coaching? Are you a Counselor or a Therapist?”
Coaches Are For Winners
Not many individuals hired personal coaches then. Even corporate executives were afraid to be seen as “needing help”. Today, executives that are identified for promotion are ear-marked for one-on-one coaching sessions,  to prepare them for the responsibilities ahead.
Entrepreneurs and business owners who want to improve performance and sales are in search of skillful and ethical Coaches. In fact some of my workshops are about equipping managers and leaders with basic coaching skills so they can achieve better results with their subordinates, colleagues and clients.
You Grow Bigger and Stronger
We work with clients to come up with strategies, action steps and support structures to help clients move forward. Coaches also hold clients accountable to themselves for the actions they have committed to doing.
But What Is Coaching?
The word “Coach” has caught fired. Almost everyone you meet is a coach of sorts. The coaching industry is not regulated and certification requirements vary greatly. It is no wonder that we are sometimes unsure what that word entails. So”What is Coaching really?”
As The International Coaching Federations Defines It:
My coaches-friends will be familiar with this. But for the benefit of my Teachers, Tutors and Trainers-friends let’s understand what coaching is. I will draw my understanding of coaching as is used by International Coach Federation’s (ICF) since I have been trained in this system and I uphold this code of ethics.

“Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potentials. Coaches believe that all human has the potential and creativity within, though untapped…”

Coaches, instead of giving direct advice, listen for understandings, observe and ask powerful questions to draw the client’s awareness to the creativity and potential within for the solution that he is seeking.
How Does Coaching Help You?
Coaches are trained with 11 core competencies  to help you achieve the results YOU desire. You set the agenda for the goals you want to achieve.
Coaches empower their clients in coming up with their own solutions which they then own. I believe that perspectives are widened through active questioning, blind spots are exposed and options and possibilities are opened up with the “bigger vision” and the bigger picture.
This approach is slightly different from consulting, teaching, training or tutoring although the more “technical” business coaching has a heavier didactic component.  The basic approach is one that believes in you. That You have the solution and the potential answer to the issues you see. Coaches see the bigness in you and draws it out.
What Does A Coach Do?
I seek to provide the space and environment to partner my client as we draw out options and possibilities to move towards the set goal. Sometimes the client requests for input and I share my perspectives and suggestions. Clients bounce off ideas with me and we brainstorm and co-create strategies. Where appropriate I will also provide further resource for references.
As a Business Coach, I also offer my experience and knowledge as well as perspectives as this is a field where pure coaching alone is not  sufficient. Often times I offer my recommendations and even provide Training (Online Training via Online Courses or In-Person) in order that clients are supported and equipped to take the required action to make progress.
While academics like to draw fine lines with definitions, in reality I often need to wear different hats with the different situations. No profession is above another. A true leader needs to be able to coach, teach, train and mentor at different times.
It helps if your Coach is also a trained Teacher or Trainer as different skills are required for these different tasks. The Coaching approach comes in handy to help clients set winning mindsets so they get as much results from their business endeavor.
In getting your Coach look for one who walks her talk. Don’t hire a Coach who does not work with her own Coach. And don’t hire a specialist who can’t demonstrate her expertise.
Coaching is a Partnership. If you are ready to work on setting up or building your online business, I invite you to get in touch and find out more about our global online business coaching program.  We have an effective Rapid Business Growth Program or we can look at  customizing a coaching program just for you!
Let the journey begin!