Streamline Training & Documentation: Coaching in a Nutshell

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Coaching in a Nutshell

Ever on the lookout for practical, plain English explanations of basic concepts relating to training and development, I was glad to come upon the description of a coach offered by the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR).

As part of their answer to the question, "What are the differences between coaching and mentoring?" the IPMA-HR sums up the role of the coach as follows.

A coach:

Helps shift the world view of the client (the person being coached) in a way that opens up new possibilities for action.

Often draws on assessment data from the client and others to increase the client's awareness of areas for development and set goals and a plan for reaching them.

Assists the client in staying focused on an area of improvement or learning objective to achieve the desired outcome(s) or change.

Explores possibilities and potential resulting outcomes.

Helps the client identify values and passions and align them with professional goals.

Works with a client to discover the answers from within.

Listens, make inquiries, and observes/reflects.

Generally asks powerful, thought-provoking questions that tap the inherent wisdom and creativity of the client

Among the supplementary resources the IMPA-HR suggests, the coaching checklist offered by Health Science Center at Houston of the University of Texas is particularly useful.

###

Labels: Coaching

<< Home