The "Sexy" Coaching Core Competency #1
Coaching, as an industry, is not just a loosey-goosey way of conversational growth. There are specific guidelines called "Competencies" that are the foundation for what coaching entails, both in the secular applications and in Christian arenas.
The gold standard for coaching is the International Coaching Federation (ICF), they set the standards for credentialing worldwide. Bridges Coaching has chosen to align with Christian Coaches Network International (CCNI) which extrapolates all the ICF Coaching Core Competencies sharing how they are Biblical-based and used to forward the kingdom.
At Bridges Coaching we believe coaching makes disciples not dependents and in this coaching competencies series, we will dig into why we feel so strongly about that statement.
The first Core Competency is "Demonstrates Ethical Practice". In know, "Sexy" right? But the truth is that without ethical practice, coaching is just loosey-goosey.
Not everyone who says they are a coach actually knows what coaching is!
It's always a good practice to ask someone for more information. Asking questions like the following will help you know if the person really knows what they are talking about or if they just want to be trendy and call themselves a coach.
- What is coaching to you? If their answer has anything to do with advice giving or accountability, they are making up their own definition, and yet, plenty of "coaches" out there are telling people what to do and setting up plans for other people's lives.
- How would you set up a coaching agreement? This is Coaching 101 and it happens not just as a clear business arrangement, but throughout each conversation as a means to serve the person being coached.
- What needs to be included in an effective coaching session? If there is not a ready answer of a clear goal, an investigative middle, and a finish of SMART goals, what they are talking about is not industry standard coaching.
Yes, coaching is conversational, but it is just a random client-centered session. There are clear, ethical standards for what coaching should include. Not to mention the respected professional standards involved.
I've experienced "coaching" sessions that were not very coachy where the coach used "questions" to try and get me to do what they wanted me to do or see what they thought I should see.
There are many ways that the coaching culture is Biblical.
Let's look at two here.
1) God offers us free will. I have a love-hate relationship with this concept. I would rather know for sure I was doing the right thing. I would love a list of rules, but turns out He values relationship with us and learning to discern His plan for our individual lives is how He designed our world to be. Of course, there are clearly right and wrong morals, but there are also plenty of choices He allows us to make.
I do believe He has good works He designed in advance for us individually. (Ephesians 2:10) Coaching helps us discern the plans God has for us personally.
2) Coaching serves. Coaching is not about what the Coach thinks would be best, or what they would do if it was their choice, it is about helping the other person to align with God's guidance.
"But it should not be that way among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant." Mark 10:43
So, what do you think? Is coaching what you thought?
Have you experienced true coaching?
Do you know how to serve others with the gift of coaching?
Our Life Coach Certification training gives you the primary tools to offer discipleship in this way. Our Next Level Coach training walks you through all the coaching core competencies and sets up for credentialing should you choose to move in that direction.
You can check out these options and others on our Bridges Coaching website.