back to Articles Synergy Central Coach Universe Sylvia Dolena Dwayne Cox

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 3:44 PM
To: Dwayne Cox
Subject: Coaching Definitions

Dwayne,
I have been looking for definitions of the different coaching descriptions i.e. Personal, Business, Executive, Corporate etc.
In your opinion are there any definitions (or a location to go to) you would consider accurate, clear and concise?
Rick

----------------------- dc responded ---------------------------------------

Hi Rick,
Many sites include various definitions on them. Each person crafts their definitions a little differently. I believe it would be fair to say the following: Coaching is in a constant state of transformation. What coaching was all about five years ago is different now, as we are learning more all the time about how to be more effective as coaches, and are evolving the language, practices, competencies and distinctions of all types of coaching.

At the end of the day, coaching is about evoking excellence in others.
Experienced coaches will take what is known as an ontological approach to coaching, which takes into consideration in a comprehensive way what a person is doing and who a person is being.  The world view of the person being coached is explored through different lenses, and their development is addressed wholistically. See Newfield's approach or NVW's approach for more about an ontological approach to coaching.

As far as the difference between different kinds of coaching, personal coaching is more about working with someone individually, outside of their work environment, such that they have more access to possibilities for new ways of being and doing that were not available to them due to limiting beliefs, stories, habits, patterns and so forth, which are made visible to them and summarily transformed through their work with a coach. This language comes in part from Landmark Education Corporation.

See "What Coaches Do" to get a better idea of some of the things coaches are up to with their clients.

As far as the difference between corporate coaching and organizational coaching and business coaching and executive coaching, it is clear that key employees have needs that are different than the needs of small business owners, and CEOs have needs that are different than managers.  Those who work with executives around their particular needs are known as executive coaches.  Those who work with small businesses are known as business coaches.  Coaches who work with managers and key employees at larger companies are known as corporate coaches.

The specific needs of various types of people, like professionals such as architects, attorneys, doctors, accountants and so forth are handled by coaches who may refer to themselves as personal coaches, or as business coaches, depending on their training and the areas they enjoy coaching.  If a coach is working on personal issues with someone, such as relationship or communication issues, or life planning, the person could be referred to as a personal coach.  If they are focusing on improving business results, they would probably be called business coaches. There is some overlap.  The important thing to know is that a well trained coach works with people, regardless of their situation, in a comprehensive way.

That is, a small business owner needs to have balance, so a business coach would need to find out about how that person is handling all of their relationships and activities, including those that are not directly involved in the business.

Here are some links that may be helpful in exploring each of these domains further:
Corporate Coaching
Business Coaching
Executive Coaching
Personal Coaching

Feel free to share this page with anyone you know that maybe is asking this question, and for those of you reading this who are willing to give me feedback, I'll be happy to edit this article including your comments, ideas, questions and insights. Just email me.

Warmly,
Dwayne

  Business Coach Dwayne Cox ontributes his time and talent to the ongoing development of
Coach Universe
, a global virtual social network of coaches, trainers, facilitators and consultants.

back to Articles Synergy Central Coach Universe Sylvia Dolena Dwayne Cox