Professional Coaching has become a Global industry. While a branch of classical psychology, it recognises that not all personal concerns require a clinical intervention. Focussing on prevention and potential, it enables professionals to go further in a sustainable manner.
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We live in a world that doesn't exactly promote deep, critical thinking. Having a 'bias for action' is an admired trait, being 'philosophically minded' will produce at best a bemused smile at the interview. Unless you've stumbled across a very unique organization, I suggest you keep it to yourself until you have secured the position...
To be clear: Coaching for operational efficiency does not require philosophical thought. Often, when initiating coaching for junior managers, organizations actually require training or mentoring, even Coaching for Compliance. However, if you intend to be a thoughtful, strategic leader that aims to balance people, process and profit in equal measure: Think first.
It all comes down to Critical Thinking. Not Thinking Right (whatever than means) or Thinking Fast (or Slow for that matter) Thinking WELL. It separates us from the animals, but only if we do it well - Thinking outside the binary categories of simple right or wrong, win or lose to the ultimate question: Is it Wise?
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its methods and assumptions. French philosopher Rene Descartes famously coined the Latin phrase Cogito, Ergo Sum ("I think, Therefor I am.") way back in 1630. We now live in an AI age in which the very nature of what it means to be human is under review.
What still constitutes human 'thinking'?
Can we compete with an algorithm eloquently articulating our thoughts, based not only our own preferences, but also including a wide range of our historic information? Descartes may hold the key through a final amendment to his statement shortly before his death. Dubito, Ergo Cogito, Ergo Sum - I Doubt, Therefor I think, Therefor I am. Our ability to Doubt, to review our own firmly held truths; to interrogate ideas and information will be key in the Age of AI.
Coaching is about asking the right questions
Not the obvious or immediate, driven by tasks and expectations of others, but rather the unspoken, hidden layers of thought that only surface through careful exploration and excavation. Finding a coach that can be a thought-partner, a guide and fellow traveller that comes alongside the client in a comfortable, yet challenging way is crucial. Clients can get a sense of who the coach is through a number of VLOGS on this site, but an in person or One-on-One Online session will give the client, as well as the coach, comfort that the combination would be an optimal fit for the client's needs.
At times, coaching is confused with counselling. The major difference between the two is that counsellors deliver therapeutic interventions to clinical populations to resolve deep-seated issues resulting from traumatic incidents that occurred in the past or which they are currently experiencing. In contrast, coaching is a non-therapeutic intervention with non-clinical populations which focuses on the ‘here-and-now’ and future possibilities.
A mentoring relationship is based on the sharing of knowledge and professional experience. This relationship deepens the mentee’s understanding of their knowledge, skills, and capabilities which enhances their career prospects. The relationship may cover a wide variety of contexts, and is an inclusive two-way partnership for mutual learning that values differences.
Coaches are affiliated members of COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa) as well as the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. Both accreditations are reviewed every three years and include annual CPD (Continuous Professional Development) requirements. A Supervision Coach oversees the continued development of each registered coach. Any ethical concerns can be referred to either of these Professional bodies for consideration. Confidentiality is a core element: With reference to 2.13 in the code, "When working with clients, members will maintain the strictest level of confidentiality with all client and sponsor information unless the release of information is required by law. "
A copy of the EMCC Code of Ethics can be obtained via the link below - COMENSA was accepted by the EMCC as the 10th co-signatory in July 2022 and is thus aligned to this guiding document.
While a coaching engagement could be a single session, a one-on-one coaching series would typically be between 6 and 12 sessions. If further coaching is required, it is best practise to conclude the series, and re-contract the next series in order to remain outcome focused. Team coaching engagements are highly dependent on the needs of the organization.
Virtually all coaching disciplines are rooted in classical psychology. For instance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy evolved into Cognitive Behavioural Coaching - similar philosophy and techniques but with a different client base. A comprehensive list of the most widely used disciplines an be found in The Complete Handbook of Coaching by Elaine Cox et al. While most organizations only focus on one discipline, he Stellenbosch University Business school master's degree in leadership Coaching is unique in the sense that it incorporates 8 different disciplines. This equips the coach with a much wider array of coaching techniques and combinations. At ThinkingWell, a combination of Cognitive Behavioural, Narrative and Positive Psychology coaching is most frequently used.
The coach will encourage the client or sponsor to terminate the coaching, mentoring, or supervision engagement if it is believed that the client would be better served by a different form of professional help. The coach will refer the client to a therapist or medical doctor if he believes that the client would be better served as such. On occasion, a client could continue with the coaching arrangement is parallel to therapy if different techniques can be applied to different areas of concern.
