What is coaching?

Coaching is becoming an increasingly relevant way to support individuals through the many choices, pressures and hurdles they face in both life and work.  It provides a safe, supportive and challenging space, facilitated by a trained coach, for the coachee to better understand their own personal and professional development needs, and eliminate barriers (habits, behaviours or beliefs) to more effective thinking and performance.   

The coach is not there to provide the answers or solutions – they are there to sensitively guide and support the coachee to decisions and solutions that are right for them. 
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What coaching is not

Coaching should not be confused with mentoring (where a more experienced senior peer or colleague provides advice and the benefit of their experience) or with counselling or therapy (where a client seeks advice, guidance or relief with psychological or emotional problems).  A coach also doesn't need to be a specialist in your profession, coaching doesn't offer advice, networking or business solutions. If you think you are in need this kind of support, please visit the Further Information page to find links to information that will help. 
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? ​

At a personal level coaching can help with individual development, with ‘unsticking’ thinking or behaviours, dealing with complex problems, increasing confidence or simply finding a direction forward – in life, careers or through difficult times.   

In organisations, developing a coaching culture can significantly and positively impact how individuals and teams work together by improving communication and rapport, helping people take greater responsibility, and developing organisational thinking and problem solving through active listening and constructive questioning.