It is important to manage your expectations of the coaching sessions. You can best do this if you understand what coaching is about and how it is different from other practices.
Counsellor & Therapist
Therapy focuses a lot on the past. Therapy clients have psychological problems that may sometimes need to be treated with drugs, such underlying problems may include:
- Experience of trauma, all physical, mental or sexual abuse.
- Addictions, dependencies or misuse, bracket, alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc.
- Serious health issues, such as, anorexia.
- Indications of mental illnesses, such as, severe depression, severe anxiety or phobias.
Trauma is a psychic wound that leaves a scar…. It is not about what happens to you, it is what happens in side of you because of what happens to you ~ Gabour Maté
Trauma is very subjective and is person-centric, what one person may describe as traumatic for them may not be seen as traumatic by someone else; trauma depends on personal experiences on the world’s experiences (e.g. Adverse Childhood Experiences) and their resilience.
Counsellors/therapists explore specific, deeper, personal issues and problems. They are trained to use interventions that go to the heart of an issue. Because these issues can be greatly influenced by events in the past, counsellors often look beyond the individual for a solution. In direct contrast to coaching, they avoid putting the burden of responsibility for the problems on to the individual. Instead, interventions enable individuals to view things from a different perspective, to encourage people to move forward positively using a range of specialised techniques.
✨Counselling & Therapy focuses on the past. It is about care & support.
Mentor
Mentoring often involves the relationship between someone with more experience, imparting knowledge/skills in a directive manner to another person with less knowledge/skills.
The mentor gives advice and direction and is usually experienced in the mentee’s work. The mentor courageous questions and help the mentee to build up a sense of how the mentee’s career might develop. In this way, a vision of what is possible may emerge from the mentee who gains confidence in the role and a renewed sense of purpose. A mentor can be particularly helpful for people new to role or for those looking to gain knowledge and skills from a more experienced colleagues.
✨Mentoring focuses on the present and near future. It is about support & guide.
Consultant
A consultant is called in when you need expert advice and guidance in a field where you have little to no knowledge. A business consultant will be experienced and knowledgeable in a variety of areas, for example:
- Setting up systems and processes;
- Information technology and data protection;
- Finance and financial systems;
- Employment Law and legislation, etc.
A consultant will share expertise, instruct managers and staff, and visit regularly over a set period of time in order to support the implementation of any of the above.
✨Consulting focuses on the present and (very) immediate future.
Coach
Coaching focuses on the future, clients are mentally “healthy” and robust. However, clients may still have a level of anxiety, stress or depression that can be worked with during coaching and that does not need therapy.
Coaching is typically result-oriented or performance-oriented, with the emphasis on taking action and sustaining changes over time. Coaching is used to improve performance in specific areas, it is more practice-driven and relies strongly on interpersonal skills.
Coaching is widely recognised as being of value and importance to most organisations. At its best, it recognises and encourages every individual’s growth and potential. It provides a safe space where individual can explore areas that may otherwise remain just out of reach. Coaching supplies the challenge and support people need to face up to and to explore their undiscovered potential.
One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time ~ André Gide
Coaching is holistic and client-centric. It enables people to discover their strengths, to concentrate on areas for development, and to learn from their mistakes. It motivates them to move forward in their role and to take responsibility for their goals and actions. It discourages the common in-control method of management and instead nurtures and draws out each individual’s hidden talents and skills. Perhaps you can remember a time when you were involved in some kind of activity that stretched you beyond your own limits.
Coaching is an activity designed to improve performance, and the ICM sessions will involve turning situations into learning opportunities. As your Coach, I trust your abilities to change, learn and engage, and you will need to trust my abilities to get you there.
✨Coaching focuses on the long-term future. It is about support & challenge.
Impact Coaching & Mentoring (ICM) for Leaders 