Coaching defined and explored

This chapter argues that while understanding the origins of coaching and a variety of its different definitions, most coaches need to think for themselves and discern what coaching is in their context, organisation or culture. It explores a range of commonly used definitions and consider the roots of coaching. The application of coaching in the workplace, and specifically with senior managers, has led to the development of what has been labelled “executive coaching”. The actual health coaching process entails goal setting determined by the patient, encourages self-discovery in addition to content education and incorporates mechanisms for developing accountability in health behaviours. Life coaching can be broadly defined as a collaborative, solution-focused, result-orientated and systematic process in which the coach facilitates the enhancement of life experience and goal attainment in the personal and/or professional life of normal, non-clinical clients.