Question 1

WHAT IS COACHING?

Answer

ICF (International Coach Federation) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential. Coaching is the art and practice of enabling individuals and groups to move from where they are, to where they want to be. It moves the individuals towards greater competence and the fulfilment they desire.

Question 2

WHAT IS A LIFE COACH?

Answer

A professional, accredited life coach works with people to help them make important changes in their life, either growing in their profession or changing gears in their personal lives. They help clients turn their dreams or wishes into realistic, attainable goals. They guide people through the process of making life changes by helping them evaluate the steps they must take to reach a particular goal, then help them decide how — and whether — to take those steps in the most efficient, effective and rewarding way possible. Regardless of which type of life coach you are interested in, make sure the person holds an International Coach Federation (ICF) credential or is a member of the International Coach Federation.

Question 3

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN COACHING?

Answer

Christian coaching takes that concept and moves it into the light of Scripture and frames it in a Christian worldview. Based on the concept that God has a plan for your life and is eager to enable you to live it, Christian coaching facilitates your discovery of that plan and encourages you to live it out.

Question 4

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING AND COUNSELLING?

Answer

Counselling focuses on the past, what role the past has played in the present. It is seeking therapy for healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or in relationships. Coaching, on the other hand is future focused whose emphases in a coaching relationship are on action, accountability, and follow through.

Question 5

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING AND TRAINING?

Answer

Training is imparting of knowledge through programs that are based on objectives set out by a trainer or instructor. Though objectives are clarified in the coaching process, they are set by the individual or team being coached, with guidance provided by the coach.

Question 6

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING AND MENTORING?

Answer

A mentor is an expert giving guidance based on where they have already been and succeeded. Mentoring may include advising, counseling, and coaching. The coaching process does not include advising or counseling and focuses instead on individuals or groups setting and reaching their own objectives.

Question 7

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING AND CONSULTING?

Answer

Individuals or organizations retain consultants for their expertise. The assumption is the consultant will diagnose problems and prescribe and, sometimes, implement solutions. With coaching, the assumption is that individuals or teams can generate their own solutions, with the coach supplying supportive, discovery-based approaches and frameworks.

Question 8

WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE A LIFE-COACH?

Answer

People of all ages and in all careers have called in a life coach. Life coaches are accredited professionals who can help you figure out the tangible changes you can make in your life to reach your goals; they can even help you turn your dreams into goals, if you’re not sure where to go next. A life coach can also help people find their purpose in life. Life coaching clients often have an idea of what they want to do, such as help people or work with animals, but don’t know how to turn that passion into a career. A life coach can also help clients make a major career change, such as starting a new business.

YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT COACHING ANSWERED