Definition of Coaching and Workplace Coaching

Definition of Coaching

The International Coach 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.

What is not Coaching

Coaching is not another form of management or supervision. The key to successful coaching 

lies in the individual's willingness and ability to identify their own abilities or shortcomings and to 

take action as needed. A coach cannot tell a person what to do. The individual must be an 

active participant in the process at all times and accept ultimate responsibility.

Who is a Coachee

A coachee (or sometimes referred to as a client) is someone who is whole, motivated, knowledgeable, hopeful, and has potential.

Who is a Coach

In coaching, fundamentally, the coach is helping the individual to improve their own performance: in other words, helping them to learn. Coaching is unlocking a person's potential

to maximize their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them. John Whitmore, in Coaching for Performance

Role of a Coach

A coach possesses techniques, skills, and tools that support the coachee/client in making the right changes, with greater ease and lasting effectiveness. The coach assists the client by helping them to:

• Clarify goals and create action plans to achieve them

• Discover what the coachee truly desires

• Recognize their strengths and assets

• Uncover the unconscious thoughts and beliefs that hold them back

• Explore new perspectives

• Identify and end self-defeating habits and patterns

• Learn from mistakes and failures

• Celebrate successes

Workplace Coaching

Workplace Coaching is the process of equipping people with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to fully develop themselves to be effective in their commitment to themselves, the organization, and their work. True workplace coaching improves employee and organizational resiliency and effectiveness in change.

Workplace coaching provides a platform for continuous learning and development. It creates conditions for setting higher standards of excellence across the organization. It also bridges the gap between current and desired performance levels.

A culture of coaching helps employees to reach new goals, teams to achieve greater synergy and companies to accelerate their productivity. It does not arise simply from launching a new initiative, it is created from the individual and collective efforts of those who coach effectively and those who are effectively coached.