What is Coaching?
Coaching is a growing and thriving profession, but many people still don’t know much about it.
In this blog post, I will share a definition of coaching, give you an overview of the profession and its standards, and list some of the types of coaches you might hire to help you with your goals. We will also touch briefly on what coaching is not. Lastly, I’ll share some of the benefits of life coaching. Let’s get to it!
What is Coaching?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” (1)
As an ICF member and coach, I agree with and adhere to this definition. We don’t tell clients what they should do or think. It is truly co-creative. The client guides the focus and depth of the sessions, and we use our skills to tap into their mindsets, blocks, potential and strengths that can take their experience to the next level of growth.
We help them discover new perspectives and insights, explore their skills and values, and help identify their needs so they can create a plan of action to achieve their goals.
Who Can Be a Coach?
Coaching is currently an unregulated profession in most countries. In the United States, for example, anyone can call themselves a coach and any business can say they employee a coach. There are no regulations to standardize the term “coach,” the expectations of training, skills or professionalism or services rendered, nor the continuing education requirements to those who claim the title.
But things are changing…
Many coaches do choose to go through a training program and many of those then go on to join the ICF and adhere to the organization’s ethical code, practice and credentialing standards, and its continuing competency requirements.
So, while it is optional, an increasing number of people who call themselves Coaches are opting to go through a proper training program and obtain ICF membership. the ICF has more than 50,000 active coaches as members!
Hi there! I’m Michel Yang, of
Gleam Life Coaching.
I am an ICF certified coach (MCLC) and member, and board member serving my regional chapter. You can read more on my About page.
Standards, Training and Credentialing
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a global organization attempting to create standards across the profession that cover training, practice, an ethical code, credentialing and continuing educational requirements. It also offers a professional network for coaches for continued training, cultivating professional community and research, and providing community outreach.
The ICF has established Core Competencies to ensure the depth and quality of the skills their member coaches have. ICF coaches must complete their training at an ICF-accredited program and complete the educational/training, experience and exam requirements for their credential level. These credentials also require us to complete ongoing education credits each year to maintain them.
The ICF also has a Code of Ethics that sets the expectations for ethical coaching practices among its member coaches. These ethics include our responsibilities to our clients, to our practice and performance, to the coaching profession, and to society at large. Members agree to adhere to this Code to maintain our credentials and good standing with the ICF.
Types of Coaches
Now that we’ve covered what coaching is and the profession itself, let’s discuss the types of coaches you might seek out to reach your goals.
Some of the most common types of coaching include:
Career Coaching
Executive Coaching
Leadership Coaching
Health/Wellness Coaching
Team and Group Coaching
Relationship Coaching
Life Coaching
Within these categories, you will find many subcategories and niches that coaches choose to specialize in.
For example, I am a Life Coach but I also specialize in working with busy moms and women who are burned out and looking to improve their times and stress management, life goals and self-care habits.
Benefits of Coaching
This is by no means an exhaustive list—there are many, many benefits to working with a coach. Just like every client is unique, so are the benefits the client experiences from working with their specific coach. That’s part of the beauty of the co-creative process between you and the coach you choose to work with.
That said, you can and most likely will experience many of the benefits listed below when you work with an ICF coach. Because of our training and passion for the work, we are prepared to show up and give you our best. To maximize these benefits, clients will need to do the same—and on days when that is hard, your coach can support you through it when it gets challenging.
Some of the benefits to coaching include, but aren’t limited to:
Gain clarity and insight on your goals, values and needs
Identify your strengths and desired areas of growth
Find direction and purpose for your life and goals
Improve your communication skills
Improve your self-esteem and confidence
Increase your productivity
Improve your self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Improve your relationships and connection skills
Gain motivation and inspiration in your life
What Coaching Is Not
It’s important to talk about what coaching is not. Why? Because it is not mental healthcare or therapy.
You may experience benefits that are similar to mental healthcare services, but coaching cannot and should not replace or substitute working with a doctor or therapist for your mental healthcare needs.
If you think you need a doctor or therapist, please see them first and foremost. They are trained and licensed to address mental health needs that a coach cannot and should not address, diagnosis or treat. If you’re unsure what you need, please speak with your doctor first and get their guidance.
If you are already working with a therapist, it would probably be wise to loop them to your coaching interest. They are the most qualified to give their advice on how to proceed.
What’s Next
You hire me, of course! I’m kidding (kinda). I would obviously love to work with you if we’re a good fit and I think I can help you with your goals and needs.
There are lots of great coaches out there, and I’d be a fool to think I am the right fit for every client. ICF has a webpage with a directory where you can search for a coach based on your area of interest and other factors and reach out to them for initial contact. The ICF even has a page of useful tips for hiring a coach.
In a future post, I will cover the reasons you might want to seek out a coach so stay tuned for that.
As always, you are more than welcome to reach out to me for referrals or to schedule a discovery call with me!
