So, What is business coaching you ask?

What is business coaching…? there’s that burning question – and what can it actually do for you?

To me, coaching is a space through which executives, managers and staff can achieve their highest potential. Coaching and mentoring are alike in many ways – but the big difference is that a mentor needs a skillset or knowledge base in the area you’re both working, a coach needs no prerequisites other than coaching skills/qualifications. Let’s look at some of the things your business coach will do for you, your staff and your business.

Coaches learn to apply techniques and tools in creative ways. This offers skills such as facilitation, one-on-one training, counselling, or networking.
The act of coaching encourages coaches into a commitment to action and development. The goal? Lasting growth and effective change.
Encouraging clients to constantly advance competencies and to expand developmental association whenever necessary to attain their goals.
Coaching helps clients build their individual competencies. Conversely ensuring they don’t build unhealthy dependencies on the coaching relationship.
Look to the outcomes! Not only do we put a process of coaching in place to help week to week, but work to more “Ultimate” goals – both personal and work-related.
Invite exploration of needs, desires, motivations, skills and the thought processes. These assist the client in making real and lasting changes.
Coaches become ambassadors throughout coaching sessions! A coach is in the client’s corner – there’s no space for judgement (providing you’re not drowning puppies!). There’s no embarrassment, no weakness or unnecessary barriers.
That said… coaches call out the bs. coaches support their coachees but that doesn’t make a “yes-man”, often the opposite. For many executive coaching clients, the coach is one of few people who can give push back to the coachee without
Maintaining an ever-evolving relationship between client and coach. Different clients require different support, sessions, and durations. After each session, I reflect on the way it’s gone and going – part of that is the longterm needs.
Client observation; listen and ask the questions needed to understand the landscape.
Expand with questioning techniques to uncover the client’s thought processes which in turn identify solutions and actions.
Offer substantive feedback on the best way to convey requests and suggestions to others?
Provide skills to build trust and acceptance.
Develop confidence, combating inhibiting beliefs and imposter syndrome.
Examine behaviours which get in the way of achieving goals. Then discover ways to avoid them in future.

Business coaching is a widely recognised valuable tool to develop, grow, and succeed. There are no limitations on who can be coached provided they’re willing and open to trying.