The Art & Science of Coaching

Often coaching, mentoring, counselling is used interchangeably in bringing about change in the state of being. Do they have the same meaning and purpose, are they similar or have a different connotation?

Based on the analogy, each has its uniqueness to blend with the situation we are in and accordingly produce desired results.

Mentoring brings in desired results by sharing skills, knowledge and experience with the mentee. it is more related to advising mentee as an expert on the subject. ex. a University Professor as a mentor guiding the new student to be able to commence the new University program. The programs are graded with high importance and have been included in the course pedagogy. Similarly, counselling and therapy are related to resolving personal or psychological problems.

In contrast, the concept of coaching is based on asking questions, facilitating the process of exploring the alternatives and way forward action plan. A coach may not necessarily be a subject matter expert, however, can be an effective coach by focusing on the “here” and “now”.

The fundamental principle of coaching is that human being is a self-sufficient and creative force, have solutions to their issues and challenges. As a coach, we need to facilitate and channelize the Coachee’s energy and thoughts by asking relevant questions to be able to navigate the discussion leading to change and desired outcome.

Coaching is an art and science and can be explained by using an example of a mirror. Just like we use a mirror to see our clear image of the outer body, so is the role of a coach to facilitate the Coachee to see the clear image of oneself. Coaching is the process of cleaning and removing dirt from that mirror so that it is clean enough in which the person can see his/her face clearly and can examine the details. A coach must have the mental purity and stillness of a mirror to enable Coachee to view his/her accurate reflections without any obstructions.

The coach is like a hallow tunnel where a coachee speaks and hear the echo of his/her thoughts. Coaching is the process of enabling Coachee to listen to a deeper reverberation of his or her mind to bring clarity and action plan. Coaching has no barrier of language, age or experience. Coaching can be done through sign language as well. Mainly, a coach needs to follow the coaching processes and deep listening.

 A coach has to control the urge of the following 04 :

1. Impress: In order to be an effective coach, one needs to act like a child, a mirror, or a tunnel. Where only coachee presence and thoughts matter. One’s experience and knowledge may be an advantage. However, it is not necessary to practice coaching. It is advisable not to try and bring their own experience and expertise during the coaching process, and else it will be a futile exercise.

2. Influence. As a coach, you need to control the urge of influencing. Coach’s responsibility is to clear all influences from the Coachee's mind.

3. Instruct: In coach and coachee relationship, the coach is not a person who is having control on Coachee, but together they have to find options and solutions to an issue without any instructions from the coach.

4. Inform & Suggest: A Coach is not supposed to instruct or offer suggestions to a Coachee.

 It is the Coachee who sets the tone and direction of the coaching. Coach is there to support the process without guiding the discussion.