Et si je prenais un business coach ?
« When someone is walking beside us, we have more courage to walk into the unknown and to risk the dark and messy places in our journey. » — Karen Kimsey-House, Co-Active Leadership: Five Ways to Lead
Recently, a client attempting to persuade her management team to engage my coaching services encountered a definitive response: «We don’t believe in coaching ». The manager’s decision, steeped in a surprising unawareness, highlights a widespread lack of understanding of the true nature and benefits of professional coaching. This article aims to demystify the coaching profession, providing clear and concise answers to some of the most common queries that individuals have about engaging in professional coaching.
What is professional coaching?
According to the ICF’s (International Coaching Federation) definition, coaching consists of « partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”.»
It is therefore a professional relationship focused on empowering individuals or teams within an organization to achieve greater clarity, set and reach ambitious goals, and improve performance and productivity
It involves a collaborative, solution-focused approach where the coach provides guidance, support, and accountability, helping clients identify their strengths, overcome challenges, and make strategic decisions that lead to sustainable business success.
Through personalized strategies and insights, business coaching facilitates personal and professional growth, enhances leadership skills, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence within the organization.
What are the different types of Business Coaching?
In the realm of business coaching, the main formats to consider:
- Individual coaching, aimed at personal and professional development, takes the form of a private interview between coach and coachee, face-to-face, by video or audio.
- Team coaching, aimed at improving team dynamics by optimizing collaboration, communication and collective performance.
- Organizational coaching enables companies to perfect teamwork, improve communication and harness the collective strengths of their staff to achieve their objectives.
Each format targets specific needs and objectives within an organizational context.
Here are a few examples of individual coaching:
- Meaning coaching, to regain motivation and purpose in one’s career,
- Leadership coaching, focuses on developing effective leadership styles, team management skills, and navigating complex organizational dynamics.
- Performance coaching: helps individuals enhance their professional performance, manage their time effectively and achieve specific professional goals.
- Sales coaching: designed to improve sales techniques, customer relationship management and achieve sales targets.
- Transition coaching: prepares individuals to assume important roles, ensuring smooth leadership transitions.
- Strategic coaching: assists in the development and implementation of business strategies to ensure long-term success and adaptability.
- Etc…
What are the different methodologies or schools of coaching?
Various methodologies and schools of thought underpin the practice of coaching, each with its own philosophy, techniques, and tools. Here are some prominent ones: behavioral coaching, solution-focused coaching, co-active coaching, ontological coaching, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), systemic coaching, relationship coaching, integral coaching, the GROW model, positive psychology coaching and so on…
Numerous training centers are developing their models that amalgamate core methodologies of coaching. Likewise, professional coaches, having obtained certification from such institutions, continually refine their expertise, and enhance their practice by engaging in advanced training and adopting innovative techniques.
How can business coaching benefit me or my organization?
As you can see, the practice of coaching is an evidence-based practice built on psychological theories and models that have been researched and validated over time, making it a reality-based approach to personal and professional development rather than a mere “belief”.
The coach works with his client to develop action plans whose progress is based on concrete actions. He follows a structured approach with established methodologies ensuring the process is systematic and not based on conjecture.
Coaching facilitates the enhancement of self-awareness regarding one’s values, beliefs, and purpose, fostering behavioral changes that are both observable and measurable, as well as skill-building that can be applied immediately to work or life situations, further anchoring the coaching process in tangible reality.
Finally, reputable coaches adhere to the ethical standards and professional guidelines established by coaching organizations, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which emphasizes the confidentiality, integrity, and credibility of the coaching practice.
What are the differences between Professional Coaching, Consulting, Mentoring, Training, Therapy and other types of “coaches”?
Consulting – In contrast to a consultant, who provides expertise-based solutions to specific challenges, a coach refrains from dispensing advice. Instead, a coach may offer suggestions while primarily facilitating a process that empowers the coachee to discover their own solutions.
Mentoring – Involves a more experienced individual (mentor) passing on knowledge, expertise, and advice to a less experienced person (mentee). The relationship is typically long-term, can be more informal, and focuses on the mentee’s overall growth in their career or personal development.
Training – Training involves a unidirectional impartation of knowledge or skills from the trainer to the trainee. On the other hand, coaching constitutes a collaborative alliance that harnesses the coachee’s expertise in their own context and profession, alongside the coach’s proficiency in facilitating awareness and expanding the spectrum of action.
Therapy – Therapy is a process aimed at healing emotional and psychological challenges, often by exploring past experiences and current mental states. It involves licensed professionals who diagnose and treat mental health disorders, helping individuals achieve emotional well-being and resolve deep-seated issues.
Coaching aims to achieve a higher state of openness of consciousness and scope of action, it centers on goal-setting and personal or professional development with a focus on the present and future.
Self-titled “coaches” – Various self-titled coaches may adopt coaching titles as part of a marketing strategy to present an appealing image that resonates more with prospective clients than traditional consultancy roles. In contrast, certified professional coaches have completed formal training and certification, upholding industry standards and ethical practices recognized by established coaching bodies.
What are the advantages of hiring a CADRAN coach?
CADRAN coaches offer their support services, with a common objective: « more humanity in organizations ». Our team of coaches brings a wealth of experience garnered from their former roles as entrepreneurs and high-level executives. Each coach has not only shaped businesses but has also honed their leadership skills on an international stage, amassing a depth of multicultural insight. This collective experience ensures that our coaches are well versed in the nuances of global business practices and are uniquely equipped to guide clients towards International Coaching with French Excellence.
CONCLUSION
Individuals often embark on a coaching journey with a certified business coach to enhance their leadership capabilities, navigate career growth, and improve their overall professional performance. They seek not only to address specific business challenges but also to align their personal development with the strategic goals of their organizations. Ultimately, the decision to engage in business coaching is a proactive step towards achieving a harmonious blend of personal satisfaction and professional excellence.
Find out more about our services
Click here to find out more about our approach to coaching, and here for information about our services.
Here are just a few examples:
Individual Coaching
- « Procrastination Coaching » — to finally overcome our resistance
- « Leadership Coaching » — to develop the softskills of the international executive of excellence
- « Meaning Coaching » — to broaden self-knowledge.
Collective Coaching:
- « Team Coaching» — to build trust and responsibility in teams.
- « Co-Reflexion Circles » — to link business with interpersonal relationships
