Coaching: the key to unlock a person’s potential

When we talk about coaching, many questions come to our mind, such as: What is it? What can it be used for? How much would a?coaching?session?be worth? In this article, we are going to explore what coaching can do and how can it be used to bring out the best of you.

First of all, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients on a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. This technique?often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity, and leadership.

Helping to learn

Traditionally, coaching has been associated with sports. Every athlete and every team has a coach. However, coaching is currently used in different areas, like business, professional careers, and even personal life.

There is a difference between teaching someone and helping someone to learn. The coach helps the clients?achieve their goals in life and career?by allowing?them to learn?by themselves instead of teaching them?directly.

Are mentoring, consulting, and coaching the same?

Although they sound similar, it’s important to be aware of the?differences.

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Mentoring

A mentor is someone who shares his/her?knowledge, skills, and experience to help another person.

Consulting

A consultant is a person who provides solutions to specific problems for individuals or companies.

Coaching

A coach is someone who?facilitates?a client?to think by themselves?about their goals. Unlike mentoring, coaching is non-directive. The process of coaching is about posing the right questions, with the purpose to drive and encourage individuals to archive their best, learn and develop in the way they wish.

The Institute of Coaching, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, reports that among people who receive coaching, 80% report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills (source: ICF 2009).

Coaching provides an invaluable space for personal development by maximizing?an individual’s performance to new levels. That's why in recent years coaching has become a powerful choice for people to reach their goals.