What is meant by coaching

Coaching is a process that helps individuals improve their skills, confidence, or performance by the coach guiding them towards finding their own solutions. A coach asks open questions, listens carefully, and helps an individual to find their own answers and create their own actions rather than simply giving advice.

Coaching is different from mentoring:

• Coaching focuses on development: The coach helps the person think through challenges and improve their abilities, often without needing direct experience in the same area.
• Mentoring focuses on guidance: A mentor shares their own experiences and knowledge to support someone’s growth, often in a field where they have more expertise. (More on this in Step 6)

For example, a coach might help someone improve their time management by asking questions like, “What challenges do you face when organising your tasks?” rather than telling them exactly what to do. A mentor, on the other hand, might share their own methods for managing time effectively.

Why and when coaching is useful 

Coaching can be highly effective in many situations, but it is not always the right approach. Coaching can be helpful:

• To develop skills and confidence: Coaching helps people find their own solutions, which can lead to lasting improvements.
• When someone is open to learning: If a person is motivated to grow and improve, coaching can provide valuable support.
• For problem-solving: Coaching helps people think through challenges in a structured way rather than relying on others for answers.

When coaching is less helpful:

• If someone lacks basic knowledge: If a person needs direct instruction to complete a task, mentoring or training may be more useful.
• When quick decisions are needed: Coaching takes time, so it may not be suitable in urgent situations.

If a person is not engaged: Coaching relies on the individual being willing to reflect and take action. If they are not interested in learning, coaching may not be effective.

How to coach someone effectively 

To coach someone successfully, it is important to create a supportive and structured environment:

• Listen actively: Give the person time to explain their thoughts without interruption.
• Ask open-ended questions: Questions like “What do you think is stopping you?” encourage reflection and problem-solving. See Listening for more.
• Encourage self-awareness: Help the person recognise their strengths and challenges by guiding them to find their own insights.
• Set clear goals: Work together to define what success looks like and create a plan to achieve it.
• Provide encouragement: Recognise progress and help build confidence by focusing on what is working well.

At the same time, the coach should avoid:

• Giving too many answers: Coaching is about helping people think for themselves, not telling them what to do.
• Judging or criticising: Coaching should be supportive, not about pointing out faults.
• Rushing the process: Change takes time, so patience is important.

By using good coaching techniques and avoiding common mistakes, coaches can help individuals grow in confidence and ability.