The differences between these various 'learning methods' can be summarized as:
Learning Method: The Question: The Focus: Aim: Objective:
Coaching How? The present Improving skills Raising competence
Coaching How? The present Improving skills Raising competence
Mentoring What? The future
Counselling Why? The past Overcoming psychological barriers Building self-understanding
Developing and committing to learning goals
Opening horizons
A Coaching Spectrum Many ‘coaches’ will recognize significant overlap between their role and that of a teacher. This may be particularly true of sports coaches, who are often highly skilled in their particular sport and looking to hone the technique and skills of their athletes. It may therefore be useful to look at both coaching and teaching as on a spectrum.
As a coach, there will be times that you are very much led by the person being coached. These times are likely to be in the majority, especially for coaching at work. However, there may also be times when you are the expert, and imparting information. Examples might include on the meaning of a psychometric test, or best practice in a particular area where you have some knowledge. For sports coaches, it might also include making a decision about when a particular activity is safe and why. Does coaching work? Coaching is profoundly beneficial in the eyes of companies and individuals who hire a coach, with 99% viewing it as “satisfied or very satisfied” and 96% stating, “they’d repeat the process.” ICF Global Coaching Client Study Clients often continue with coaching as long as they remain satisfied with their progress and enjoy the benefits of the relationship. That is something else that sets coaching apart from consulting – it’s a relationship rather than a transaction. Instead of working to solve just one set of problems as a consultant, a coach helps clients navigate the totality of their personal and/or professional world. That is what makes it extremely satisfying for both the client and the coach. When a coachee works with a coach, they gain self-awareness and a fresh perspective on their personal challenges, ultimately improving their: The improvements are not limited to the individual, either. Numerous in-depth studies by the International Coach Federation (ICF) reveal that employers and coworkers can also benefit in the following areas when one works with a coach: Self-confidence | Relationships | Communication Skills | Life/Work Balance Work Performance | Business Management | Time Management | Team Effectiveness The improvements are not limited to the individOn concluding notes, I would say that the term ‘coaching’ means many different things to different people, but is generally about helping individuals to solve their own problems and improve their own performance. It doesn’t matter whether coaching is used in sport, life or business, the good coach believes that individuals always have the answer to their own problems. They just need help to unlock them. ual, either. Numerous in-depth studies by the International Coach Federation (ICF) reveal that employers and coworkers can also benefit in the following areas when one works with a coach:
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