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Essentials for Business CoachingSix Fundamental Principles for Successful OutcomesBusiness coaching is a 'whole person' development activity and can have positive outcomes for organisational change. Six fundamental rules are essential for success.
Business coaching is a fashionable and a powerful development tool, and if accessed for the right need, can be beneficial for those providing the coaching (the Coach) as well as those receiving (the Client). There are many models of coaching, some may have a therapeutic angle, some with an intention of teaching "something" and some which are more counselling based. However, whichever model is used, there some key principles which will lead to an effective result. The Client is ResourcefulCoaching is not about being ‘fixed’. The Client has the resources within themselves to resolve their particular issue. Only they know what to do because they possess of all the essential information, they alone will have to implement any action and ultimately live with the results. The Coach can, and often will, offer useful additional information, but it is up to the Client whether they use it. The Coach Enables the Clients ResourcefulnessThe role of the Coach is not advice giving. The giving of advice implies a sense of knowing better than the Client and an obligation to honour that advice, even if it may not be in their best interests. The Coach should facilitate and encourage the independence of the Client through empowering them to generate and consider the options available. Coaching Relates to the Whole PersonCoaching isn’t just about professional issues, or just about personal life. Experience shows that difficulties in either part of a person life are often present in the other; therefore, the issues need to be explored in totality rather than in isolation. The Client Sets the AgendaThere is no set agenda with coaching. This is essentially different from traditional teaching practice where particular learning objectives need to be met. The Coach may have models and programmes for particular issues, but if these are not an issue for the Client, they are not appropriate. The session begins and ends with the Client and their agenda. An Equal RelationshipThere is no power base. The Coach and Client work together on an equal footing. The relationship is not dependent on the Coach requiring authority and knowledge that the Client does not have. In order to be effective the relationship must be based on mutual respect. Coaching is About ChangeClients seek coaching because they want something to change and they want to become more effective, whether this is managing a small team or succeeding within a particular sport. The role of the Coach is to help the Client achieve their goal and therefore the client must want to change. Whichever coaching model is chosen these six values provide the foundation for a successful outcome for the Client and the Coach. If these elements cannot be applied, an alternative development method should be considered.
The copyright of the article Essentials for Business Coaching in Soft Skills Development is owned by Jo Lamb-White. Permission to republish Essentials for Business Coaching in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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