Purpose of Coaching

You could be a manager of an organization who is trying to improve the performance of your junior, or maybe you are someone attempting to mentor a young promising person. Alternatively, you maybe a team leader of a software development task force attempting to build the proficiency of your team. You could also be a parent who wants to provide the best possible upbringing for your child. The possible scenarios could go on and on, but its my purpose to give you an introduction to coaching in a way that allows you to apply it to a wide range of situations we find ourselves in these days.

The common thread running through these circumstances is the intention of the coach to leave the coachee(client) more competent in an activity that is of mutual interest to coach and client. Some of the reasons why coaching is important in the world of commerce today:-

The need for innovation is endless. Business must keep re-inventing not only their products and ways of delighting their customers, but also the way they organise themselves; communicate so as to co-ordinate activities; and stay current with changes in technologies, demograpics, politics, government regulations and so on

Because of relentless down-sizing and re-engineering efforts, the traditional relationship between organization and employee has changed.Consequently, even outstanding performers do not anticipate staying with one organization for their entire career and are always working with the knowledge, atleast in the background, that their current position is temporary. Organisations have to find a way to retain such people as long as possible thro’ various attractions.

Organisations operating in multi-cultural environments, require coaching to understand and appreciate cross cultural differences.

From an Individuals point of view, coaching helps to:

• Discover yourself- your values, beliefs, what’s important to you and take actions in alignment to your purpose of life.
• Improve your professional life- Increase job satisfaction (or find a new one), improve efficiency, reduce stress, improve all round relationships.
• Take control of and improve your personal life- finances, health, well-being, relationships, leading to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.
• Improve spiritual well-being.

Principle of Coaching
The three principles of coaching are:-

• Suspend Judgements- Coaches abstain from being opinionated. They respect the client’s individuality, his/her lifestyle, spiritual beliefs, values etc. A coach is a partner to his client, not his advisor or critique. He (coach) must walk his (client’s) walk.
• Future v/s Past- Coaching is not concerned with the past. A coach is grounded in the present with a focus on the future. A coach is interested in what the client wants to create in their life, the changes he/she is ready to make and how to go about doing that from now on.
• Action- A coach is not only responsible in clarifying issues with their clients but also ensuring action. A coach got to enthuse his client to take action on issues wherein clarification has not been sought.

Products of Coaching

• Long-term Excellent Performance- This means that the client meets the high objective standards of the discipline within which coaching is occurring. Standards are objective when they can be observed by any competent person
• Self-Correction- Well coached clients can observe when they are performing well and when they are not, and can make any necessary adjustments independently of the coach. Thus, it is the aim of the coach to avoid making the client dependant on their relationship
• Self-Generation- Well coached clients will always endeavour to continually find ways to improve their competence. Once the coaching relationship has evoked their thirst for excellence, the client continues on his pursuit with or without his coach.