What is Professional Coaching?
As we go about our daily lives, we make many decisions and find solutions to issues as they arise. When we run into an issue we can’t solve immediately or decide to try something new, there are a number of tactics we can employ to identify next steps such as putting aside time to focus on the matter, looking for ways to stimulate our imagination, and thinking of different perspectives to consider.
If we are still stuck and become frustrated, we may reach out to other people. Other people can provide support in a variety of ways, including: partnering with us on the tactics already mentioned, listening and keeping the focus on us, and asking questions that lead to insights.
By contrast, there are many behaviors that diminish the value we receive from other people as we search for a way forward. Sometimes, people interrupt the flow of our thinking, judge what we are saying, and provide unsolicited opinions and advice. Refraining from these diminishing behaviors is another way that people can support us.
Usually, we need to interact with more than one person to get the help we need to find solutions to our issues. Who we reach out to depends on the kind of assistance we need. Even after we get new information and perspectives from reaching out to others, we generally need to tailor a solution to our personal perception of our capabilities and situation.
Professional Coaching is an approach for partnering with people when they are stuck. It is a combination of supportive behaviors such as those described above, practiced to a high degree of skill, and coaching-specific skills such as asking perspective shifting questions and setting up accountability systems.
