Theory of Business Coaching

The theory of Business Coaching: the term "Coaching" has been
used for about 20 years. Some people use it interchangeably
with the term "Consulting", but this is inaccurate.




Other Links about Business Coaching
Smart Goals
Business Coaching To Groups
Business Assessments
Theory of Business Coaching
Executive Coaching
Small Business Coaching





Business, career and life coaching is a process of "guiding" the client to the results they are looking for. By asking a series of smart, thoughtful questions, the client will think through the key issues him/herself.

The theory of coaching assumes that the person/client already has all the information she needs to come up with the right solutions, although she doesn't realize this. She hasn't gone through the process she needs, nor taken the time, to really focus and assimilate the pieces that she knows - yet. This is an example of where two heads are better than one; the coach helps/facilitates the client's thinking, without giving advice!

Coaching, in a systematic, step-by-step approach, using intelligent, thought-provoking questions draws out her thoughts out until it's verbalized and assimilated. When this occurs, the technical term for this is often called an "Ah-Hah Moment"!

The coaching method starts out by asking basic initial questions which helps start defining the Clients' key goals and challenges. Then, follow-up questions help make thoughts come into much sharper focus: what the goals and challenges are in much more detail, and what steps and actions need to be taken.

Further coaching questions continue to focus on good, practical solutions. After planning is completed, this type of questioning/dialogue is further used to follow up with implementation of the solutions and action steps that were come up with.

How does business consulting differ from business coaching? 1) Consultants must have knowledge in the same or related field as the client, 2) provides advice to the client, and 3) the consultant may also do actual work for the client as well, such as writing guidelines, teaching sales techniques, etc.

Warning: Business executives generally prefer processes that are more flexible, hence Executives: Read this.