Coaching is both a young maturing industry and a technology that has been around since communication was invented. It is essentially about asking great questions to encourage new thinking that will help people achieve their goals.
You may have had an experience where someone made a comment or asked you a question to which you responded, “I’ve never thought about it like that before” and from that moment your mind was awash with new possibilities. That is coaching.
I’ve been coaching for years and I love the fact that each and every coaching conversation is a new and exciting exploration for both me and my clients. Now is an exciting time for coaching because as a young industry (around 10 years in Australia) research is supporting what clients and coaches have known for years. Standards are being set, quality is improving, education is being refined and more people are able to experience the shift that coaching can create.
A coaching approach however is far more reaching that just a single conversation. Managers are learning coaching skills to enhance their leadership toolkits. I was in Cambodia recently and speaking to a charity that is using a coaching approach to empower the participants of their programs to think independently. Parents and school teachers are incorporating a coaching approach when communicating with young adults resulting in stronger relationships.
Coaching is about enabling people to be all they can be – what a great job!
Watch the full video of John discussing what life coaching is about.
Related posts:
