A coach works with the client to plan the relationship and what the client wants to accomplish through coaching – their goals. This is where there are interesting considerations. For example, Harvard Business Review cited a clear methodology as a reason for selecting a coach. Makes sense – hiring a professional who has a method to their process. At the same time, having a coach that is ready to a
dapt the process to the client is a significant competency. This means yes, the coach has a clear methodology and yes, that methodology is adaptable based on circumstances.
A coach creates a space for the client to fully develop their own strategies, plans, and goals. For most coming in to coach training, there is a desire to really help other people. The paradigm shift in thinking, from being given solutions, to instead realizing that helping really means giving the space for people to discover their own solutions.
When a client is planning and goal setting, it is normal for their thinking to be within their experiences. A coach challenges thinking and expands thinking to broaden the scope of possibilities for the client. This involves asking the questions that open up new ideas which are then explored prior to finalizing the plan. For a client the process creates new possibilities.
