What is the value of coaching? Why does it work?

Coaches help their clients improve their performance and quality of life by connecting existing pieces of information for new learnings. People have a much higher retention rate through coach training with a smaller investment of time. Coaching can offer objectivity and clarity that cannot be discovered alone.

I personally have experienced this awareness and retention with my life coach. I have read many books and articles, watched videos, movies, etc.. but remember conversations with my coach much more lucidly. The power lives in the interaction. I believe this is a wonderful benefit to coaching and is very much needed with the “ADD” of busy individuals in today’s culture.
Coaches are trained to listen, observe and customize their approach for each individual. Therefore, coaching each person will be different. Coaches need discernment to know how to ask the right questions at the appropriate time with his/her client.

Coaching is the art and practice of guiding a person toward greater competence and fulfillment. It is the most effective form of discipleship.

What are the distinctions between coaching, mentoring and consulting?

Consulting usually implies expertise in a certain area. Consultants will tell a person what to do instead of allowing the person to find the truth from the inside/out for him/herself - such as going to a doctor for treatment or advice on an illness.

Coaching believes that the individual holds the answers for one’s journey. It is the coaches’ job to help the person get there – many times pushing through the fear to unlock the truth. Coaching is an interactive, collaborative process. Coaching is helping others to feel inspired and motivated to grow themselves.

Mentoring often times refers to the mentor/apprenticeship relationship in the same field or study - a mentor helping a protégé. Coaching is much more broad. A coach can coach someone in any career, field, study or focus.