What is Coaching and How Does It Work?

What is professional coaching?

Coaching is a vague term and since it's an unregulated industry, it's important to know how to find a coach that is properly trained and follows a legitimate method. Today we'll clarify the differences between counseling, coaching, and consulting.  

Counseling, looks at the past and says "here's what happened, which is why this is where we are now." 

Coaching looks at the future and says "here's where we are now, here's where we want to be, how do we get there?" 

Consulting brings specific expert knowledge into a particular situation. 

It's vital that you know which of three you need, when searching for the right fit for you.  

Coaches are not trained mental health professionals and a legitimate coach will never claim to be. Coaches can sometimes also be consultants...at LSC we do some crossover work, but a good coach will always make you aware of the difference, so you know what to expect.

Coaching is based on the work of Socrates, whose work proved that drawing answers out of people using an inquisitive approach helped them gain clarity.  A good coach uses a method that is based on science.  

Your brain takes very good care of you; it also can get in your way.  All of your big decision- making and strategic thinking happens in the prefrontal cortex.  Your amygdala, when it senses stress, shuts down the prefrontal cortex, preventing you from overcoming hard things. 

We call this the amygdala hijack. 

A good coach knows how to keep you in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain so that you can overcome hard things and form new neural pathways, which is where you start to see growth in: confidence, clarity, leadership, skill building, and so many other areas.  

Coaching is a scientifically proven, carefully followed method, which when facilitated properly will take you from point A to point Z.  

If you're interested in hearing more about coaching, let us know. 

By: Coach Laine