A Definition of Coaching

Managing the Coaching Relationship

The success of a relationship between a coach and the client organisation is in part defined by:

·  a clear contract between the coach and the organisation

·  a clear discussion with the individual clients sponsor to define the measures of success

·  a clear contract between the coach and each individual coaching client within that organisation.

These contracts are agreed at the outset of each relationship and should cover the following areas as a minimum:

·  an agreed definition of coaching

·  agreed measures of success

·  client confidentiality

·  the roles in the relationship for the Coach, client and sponsor

·  the number and length of individual coaching discussions

·  agreed feedback methods to the sponsor and organisation

·  agreed methods and timescales for evaluation of the coaching contract

Selecting Excellent Coaches

Coaching is a profession for which the best coaches train and gain qualifications; in addition, like all serious professionals the best coaches continue their professional development every year. Academic learning, however, is not enough, excellent coaches can and will demonstrate their coaching ability during a selection or an educational setting. This context sets the start point for areas to cover during coach selection:

·  length of experience as a coach

·  where and when qualified as a coach

·  what other Continuous Professional Development activities is the coach undertaking

·  client testimonials from clients who have been sponsored for coaching by their organisations

·  Current clients.

In addition, other critical areas to check are:

·  the ability of the coach to articulate a clear definition of coaching and how it is distinct from other approaches to development

·  how the coach contracts with the organisation and individual coaching clients within it

·  the coach’s stance on confidentiality, giving advice and measuring success

·  The ability (and willingness) of the coach to demonstrate a coaching discussion.

CECO also use a set of coach competencies against which coaches are selected.

A Definition of Coaching

Coaching is a goal-centric, results-orientated approach to professional and personal development. It involves dynamic interaction through which the coach works with the client to identify options and take actions that move him/her towards clearly defined outcome(s).

It is clearly distinct from mentoring, training, consultancy, counselling and therapy.