Coaching is a process or form of development in which an experienced person supports a student in achieving a specific professional or personal goal through training and guidance.
Coaching is different from mentoring, therapy, teaching or training, which focus on a general goal. It is applied in education, healthcare and business, among others.
A good coach has a set of strong communication skills such as listening, asking questions and clarifying. They are also good at taking on different roles and forms, such as appreciative or positive coaching.
An often recurring aspect is reflection. Various models and tools are available to support reflection: John’s Model of Reflection (MSR), the Brookfield Model of Reflection and the John Driscoll Model of Reflection. The basic principles for effective leadership coaching are contained in the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) theory.
What are the most effective forms of coaching? How do I know if I need a coach? How can I help other people achieve their full potential? Our articles with the tag coaching are about styles, reflection and growth methods, guidance and other topics.