What Coaching Is...and What it Isn't!
Are you wondering “what the heck is coaching anyway”?! Some (ok, a lot) of people confuse coaching with consulting or therapy. While I happen to appreciate both of those disciplines very much, coaching is a bit different. Therapy tends to focus on the past or the history behind an individual’s issues, problems, or challenges. Let’s take low self-esteem as an example. If I have low self-esteem, it may be important for me to figure out why I have low self-esteem or better understand the origins of my low self-esteem. A therapist may take me back in time to help me uncover the answers I seek. With therapy, typically, a diagnosis is in order. Coaching stays in the present and focuses on specific outcomes you want to achieve at this moment in time. No diagnosis necessary!
A consultant may also work to uncover the origins of a particular problem and there’s an even bigger distinction between a consultant and a coach. Say I’m experiencing interpersonal challenges with work colleagues. My employer might bring in our organizational consultant to “fix” the problem. The consultant will perform their analysis, talk to the impacted parties and then make their recommendations by providing the solutions or answers to fix the employer’s problem. The employer is then responsible to implement the recommendations. As a coach, my job isn’t to provide you with advice, recommendations, or answers. Rather, my role is to engage with you in a co-creative relationship rooted in powerful, collaborative, reflective, and action-oriented discussion. You have the answers, I help you discover them! The added bonus is that a coach will also be an accountability partner for you - ensuring you actually take the actions you say you will take!
Coaching is deeply rooted in affirmative and appreciative inquiry. That is, you have awesome strengths and abilities and you are not deficient, broken, or otherwise in need of fixing. A coaching partner will help you shift your Outlook and actions away from problems, analysis, and fixing to those positive and productive possibilities for your life today.
Check out my FREE Special Reports or Get a FREE Coaching Session!
|