Coaching is a conversation between a coach and a coachee whereby the coachee achieves a higher level and understanding of awareness and self-awareness, while the coach provides a safe environment and structure for that outcome to occur.  Yes, this sounds a bit of a mouthful, but in essence, it is a process that enables learning and development to occur and thus, performance to improve. To be successful, a Coach requires a knowledge and understanding of processes well as the variety of styles, skills and techniques that are appropriate to the context in which the coaching takes place. It is about using correct questioning and listening skills.   If there is one area, a coach has to master it is the intent to listen to the coachee, to understand.

To be successful as a coach, you require a knowledge and understanding of a variety of skills, style and techniques. This aids coachees to perform to the best of their ability and maximise their performance. I often find myself listening to trainers and mentors saying they have just been delivering a coaching session to a student on a course. When I question them to find out what they have been doing and then check their understanding of what coaching is, I find out they have no real knowledge of coaching and no real understanding between the roles and techniques required for each. Of course, the way the English language works means coaching is so quickly miss-understood.  What I do know from experience when coaching is done well is that it can benefit coaches or members of staff massively in so many areas of their life both professionally and personally. I have experienced individuals managing their team and not using coaching skills.  Furthermore, I have witnessed opportunities missed by managers by not listening effectively and not using guided question technique; essential for effective management. That is why I have put together coaching for manager’s course to cover techniques and skills which will aid their roles tremendously.

Coaching is proven to increase performance and is now in the majority of professional key sectors. There is a rationale behind this, and it is because it works.  We have several coaching courses available for individuals and managers that can be booked via our course finder.  Moreover, we can deliver our courses internally at your location, contact us for more information.

Claire Moody is our head coach at Target Training, and you can read more about her here.  She delivers training on all coaching and numerous training the trainer courses.