Life Coaching: What it isn’t

Training: the trainer fixes the training agenda and transfers skills and knowledge, whereas in coaching the individual sets the agenda, which is fluid and flexible.

Mentoring: a mentor passes on knowledge, skills and specific experience to a mentee. A coach does not need any experience or knowledge to coach on a subject.

Therapy: this deals with past-related feelings and resolution of old pains and old issues whereas coaching is about setting goals and forward action.

Consulting: consultants tend to be experts within a specific industry, whereas the coaches expertise in the domain of conversation, communication and interpersonal skills. Consultants are often expected to provide answers whereas a coach does not provide advice but works with an individual to create changes evoking the answers from the individual.

Support from a friend: a friend may expect a person to support them in return, whereas a Life Coach does not have such expectations. A friend may not challenge a person for fear of upsetting the person or may get angry if a person does not do as they recommend. A Life Coach will not give advice, but will challenge and stretch a person and ask effective questions to prompt the coachee to make their own recommendations, ideas and solutions. The friend may expect the person to see the world as they do whereas a Life Coach is non-judgmental and will not make assumptions. A friend may want their friend to remain the same. A Life Coach is there to support their coachees to achieve their goals and live the life they choose.

 

Inappropriate subjects for coaching

There are several subjects, which are inappropriate for coaching. These include mental or physical abuse, drug or alcohol dependency and any deep-seated emotional trauma. These subjects need to be dealt with by a qualified therapist.