WHAT IS COACHING?
According to the International Coach Federation, coaching is defined as:
Partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work, an believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:
- Discover, clarify and align with what the client wants to achieve
- Encourage client self-discovery
- Elicit client generated solutions and strategies
- Hold the client responsible and accountable
This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.
WHY DO PROFESSIONAL AND OLYMPIC ATHLETES HAVE COACHES IF THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE "BEST OF THE BEST"?
Even top athletes recognize that there is always room for improvement and, therefore, rely on a coach to enhance their performance. Similarly, in the world of work, coaches provide a safe space and objective perspective to help leaders become aware of their "blind spots" and play BIG to meet their objectives and goals. As a leader, your words, actions and behaviors are an example for others. A leader's demonstration of emotional intelligence, and effective communication and interpersonal skills or lack thereof ripples throughout the organization, impacting employees, citizens and the bottom line.
COACHING, COUNSELING, MENTORING AND CONSULTING - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
COACHING
According to the International Coach Federation, Coaching is defined as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." The coach is the subject matter expert at coaching, not necessarily the subject matter expert of the client's coaching topic.
COUNSELING
According to CoActive Coaching, the boundary between coaching and counseling is not defined by a set of absolute rules or terms. In general, counselors are trained to diagnose and help clients with emotional problems, the past or dysfunction while coaches are not. The coach's domain is future orientated - what does the client want? And then coaching the client to get there.
MENTORING
A mentor is a guide and teacher who advises the person they are mentoring. A coach refrains from instructing and giving advice. The coach helps the client tap their own inner wisdom and the answer within.
CONSULTING
A consultant is an expert who is called on for professional or technical advice or opinions. The are relied on to understand the problem and present solutions. Coaches ask powerful questions and share observations to support client in generating their own answers and solutions.
For more Information Contact:
Catherine Crusade
Employee Engagement Manager
Human Resources Department
CrusadeCM@countyofmonterey.gov