What Is Coaching?

Coaching is a partnership in which the client sets the agenda and generates the answers. The coach's job is to ask, not tell, and to know where coaching ends and other helping professions begin.

The ICF Definition · learn it word for word

Partneringequals, co-created; not expert-led

with clientsclient holds the choices

Thought-provokingquestions, not advice

Creative processexplores options; no fixed script

Maximize potentialpersonal and professional

The process inspires clients to reach their potential. Core belief behind it: the client is creative, resourceful, and whole.

The Coach's Responsibilities (ICF)

Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants
Encourage the client's self-discovery
Draw out client-generated solutions and strategies
Hold the client responsible and accountable

Coaching vs. Six Other Helping Modes

Counseling / Therapy

Focus: Healing; past pain shaping the present
Who leads: Licensed clinician diagnoses and treats
Coaching: Future and action; refers out clinical needs

Mentoring

Focus: Passing on wisdom from the same path
Who leads: Experienced mentor advises from own story
Coaching: Draws answers out instead of handing them over

Training

Focus: Imparting knowledge or skill (didactic)
Who leads: Trainer sets objectives and curriculum
Coaching: Client sets the objectives; path isn't linear

Managing

Focus: Processes, tasks, organizational goals
Who leads: Manager plans, assigns, and evaluates
Coaching: Serves the client's agenda, not the org chart

Consulting

Focus: Solving a specific problem or system
Who leads: Outside expert diagnoses and prescribes
Coaching: Assumes the client can generate the solution

Friendship

Focus: Mutual care, trust, shared experience
Who leads: Both people, two-way support
Coaching: One-way, client-centered, under clear agreements

What Coaching Isn't

Advice-giving or telling people what to do
Diagnosing or treating mental health
Fixing the client: they aren't broken

What Coaching Is

Client-driven: their agenda, their answers
Question-led, future-focused, action-oriented
Built on agreements and accountability

Where Does Coaching Happen?

In-the-momentFormal session

Anywhere a coaching conversation can happen
Hallway question ↔ scheduled, agreed session

Exam Watch · ICF Tie-Ins

Competency 1: Ethics

1.6 Keep coaching distinct from consulting and therapy
1.7 Refer clients to other professionals when appropriate

Competency 3: Agreements

3.1 Explain what coaching is and isn't to clients
Expectations become explicit agreements

Shipley Vocabulary

Model: framework held in mind
Tool: flexible approach; Process: step-by-step sequence

ICF Credentials

ACC → PCC → MCC (entry to master)
Shipley is an ICF-accredited program (ACTP)

Most Common Mix-Up

If you're telling, you've slipped into mentoring or consulting. Coaching asks, so the client discovers.

Milo Curtis