Defining coaching can be challenging, even for a coach. It's not always easy to succinctly explain the nature of our work to others. However, over the years, I have developed a metaphor that I believe perfectly captures the essence of coaching.
Imagine two musicians on a stage. One musician introduces a musical idea, the other musician picks it up, develops it further, and plays it back. Through this process of improvisation, both musicians grow in their groove and become engaged in a creative process.
That's precisely how I perceive coaching. This perspective aligns with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the world's largest organization of professionally trained coaches, which also defines coaching as a creative process:
"Coaching [is] partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."
In my view, coaching is a creative, challenging, professional, and highly individualized. It's a process I'm deeply passionate about, and I believe that this improvisational metaphor effectively conveys its core essence.
Christine Paulus
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