What Is Coaching? [The Skinny and The Blunt Truth]
"What is Coaching?" I whispered to the rep from Southwestern Christian University when I was considering getting my Master's there.* I was a little embarrassed that I didn't really know.
How about you? Coaching is a buzzword and has been steadily gaining popularity since I first asked that question over 15 years ago.
Webster's primary definition for coaching is the noun version - like Cinderella's coach, or a stagecoach from the Wild West. In that case, coaching is a means to get from one place to another - like our modern-day Uber or Lyft. The second definition Webster gives is "a tutor" or "one who instructs or trains".
Here's the blunt truth. No one owns the word "coach," and it is used differently by different people. The first thing that probably comes to most people's minds is some sort of sports coach, or maybe a skills coach that trains you in a specialty area. Some nutrition and fitness coaches would fall into this definition as well. These type of coaches have their own pathway and they take people down that road.
The life coaching industry's gold standard organization, the International Coaching Federation, defines coaching as “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” This secular organization bases its core competencies on the premise that the focus, goal, and the pathway needed come from the client and are not prescribed by the coach.
CCNI, Christian Coaches Network International, the largest global network of Christian Coaches, uses the same 8 core competencies but builds on the faith-based foundation that the Holy Spirit guides the coachee to choose their focus goals and build the action steps needed to move forward.
Coaching provides a safe place to process. This type of coaching puts the person being coached in the driver's seat - they choose the destination, the pathway, and the pace. The Coach comes alongside, guiding the conversation using the tools of Active Listening and Asking Empowering Questions. In a quality coaching conversation, the goal is clear, obstacles and opportunities are discussed, and action steps are made. Great coaching sessions promote "Aha" moments that facilitate inner transformation.
As mentioned before, no one owns the word "coaching", and it is used in many ways. Even some Life Coaches use the word to mean something more like consulting, where they provide the pathway and help the client down a road where they have expertise.
The skinny for Bridges Coaching is that we believe:
Coaching is a mature form of discipleship. God gave us free will, and at its core, coaching helps people discern what God is offering them - to make wise choices.
Are you ready? to be coached? to help others grow through being trained in the coaching culture?
Note: Some of our coach training alumni go on to be professional coaches, some do a little coaching on the side, but MOST use it in their everyday lives as parents, friends, managers or co-workers, with their adult parents and more.
Coaching Culture isn't just for sessions!
*The SWCU rep told me to get the book "Leadership Coaching" by Tony Stolzfus, and it changed my life. I did get that degree along with 5 different coaching certifications. I then went on to launch Bridges Coaching so I could offer coach training that would give a solid coaching foundation in just one certification.