What is Coaching? Shortest Definition

Defining coaching can be tricky, even for a coach. It's not always easy to explain in a few words what my work really is about. Over the years, a metaphor has taken shape for me that captures the essence of coaching quite well.

Imagine two musicians on a stage. One musician brings in a musical idea; the other picks it up, shapes it further, and plays it back. Through this back-and-forth process of improvisation, both deepen their groove and enter a shared creative flow.

That's how coaching feels to me. This view is in line with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the world's largest organization of professionally trained coaches, which also speaks of 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 creative, challenging, professional, and highly individualized. It's a process that matters deeply to me, and my improvisational metaphor helps to share its core in a simple, human way.