Life Coaching
 

Life Coaching is the art and practice of a professional partnering between a coach and a self-responsible client. The coach's job is to assist the client in the identification and achievement of the client's goals and purposes. It begins with the mutual understanding that the client is the expert in his or her life and the coach is there to facilitate the process of discovery, which involves a greater degree of awareness, self-responsibility, and knowledge. There is a signed contract to this effect.

The coach employs the skills of compassionate and reflective listening to establish mutual trust, essential for a productive coaching environment, and supports the client to develop an inquiring attitude that leads to a higher degree of awareness and effective action. Essential in the narrative process is the discernment of the client's level of motivation for change, and then working with the client where she or he is to mobilize his or her own motivational strengths to be able to make permanent changes. Premature action severely slows down and even derails the change process; small steps is usually the most effective strategy.

Clear, achievable goals are designed by the client with the coach's guidance. The coach asks questions designed to open the client to insight, helps the client to design her or his own program and means of tracking progress, imparts information if appropriate and wanted by the client, suggests carefully selected experiments and resources as needed, and effectively supports the client as she or he progresses.

The coach uses her skill to maintain a positive tone, but does not shy away from negativity, should it arise. The coach is able to discern a client who is deeply troubled and in need of therapy or medical care and will support the client in finding a qualified practitioner.

Through caring listening, deepening reflection, and steadfast support, the coach guides the client through his or her pitfalls to the successful achievement of the stated goals, at which point either the client chooses to terminate the sessions or chooses to continue on toward new goals.

To be clear about what coaching is and is NOT, please read this from the International Coach Federation.