Can everyone coach?!

Unlock people's potential! This is the headline which the Volkskrant, one of our national newspapers, put above an article about coaching. In the article coaches came across as caricatures, more like amateurs than professionals. The article was off the mark, in my opinion, as there are many well trained and certified coaches. Looking for a professional coach? This list will help you to find one!

1. A professional coach is certified

Anybody can call him/herself a coach. This is why professional coaches are certified, so that the client knows that his/her coach has the appropriate training and work experience. And that he or she has been assessed by others, such as the International Coach Federation (ICF) or the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC).

2. A professional coach is transparent and result-oriented

A coaching engagement comprises five elements: a coach, a client, a principal, an issue and a contract. The roles of the first three and the results of the fourth must be set down in a contract before the coaching trajectory starts. The contract 'guides' the coaching process and a professional coach does not cross the boundaries of this contract. If need be, provisional changes can be made, by way of mutual consent.

3. A professional coach understands the coach's role

Questioning and active listening: these two activities summarize the coach's main role. Questions encourage clients to reflect, explore and experience. They raise awareness, give insights and result in growth. By contrast, instructions, mentoring and giving advice are less powerful in 'enabling' that process. They may even lead to dependency, the very opposite of what coaching tries to achieve.

4. A professional coach focuses on the whole person

Coaching addresses the whole person. Past, present and future. Work and private life are often seen as two separate 'worlds', but a human cannot be divided into two halves. Moreover, issues that clients face at work often also come into play at home and vice versa. The whole person also means an equilibrium between head and heart. From this perspective only an integral approach will achieve 'clear' results.

Furthermore a professional coach does not focus on 'old wounds' and does not provide therapy. If necessary, the client will be referred to a therapist.

5. A professional coach lets the client set the agenda

Coaching is voluntary, but it is not without commitment. From this perspective the client sets the agenda and defines the goals. This is the difference between teaching and training. Coaching does not follow a set program. The coach may utilize certain models or a framework, but it is up to the client to set the agenda, both in the sessions as well as in the engagement as a whole. When the client's agenda is exhausted, the coaching must stop.

6. A professional coach focuses on change

Clients want coaching because they want something to change. Mostly the wish to change is related to their desire for effectiveness and to bridge the gap between who they are and who they want to be. In short: the gap between performance and potential. The essence of coaching lies in change and ways (actions) to achieve that change. This requires client's willingness to look within themselves, respond to feedback and make the changes necessary to improve their performance and effectiveness. This means that coaching is not an easy process. It requires the client to be ready and motivated for coaching. If the client or coach has doubts about readiness or motivation, it is not advisable to embark on a coaching trajectory.

7. A professional coach is committed but not too committed

Last but not least: coach and client collaborate as equal partners. As in any colleague-colleague and adult-adult relationship, mutual respect must be evident. The relationship is open and non-judgemental. Coaching will not be effective if there is no respect or if judgement rules. Furthermore a coach possesses adequate insights into his own self and does not let him/herself get carried away by his or her own emotions and reactions. A professional coach is committed and engaged, without taking over the responsibility of the client.