Some History The demand for coaching services has surged in professional fields. From leaders seeking to enhance their performance to teams aiming for better collaboration, coaching is a buzzword that has captured the attention of many. However, despite its growing popularity, there remains a significant amount of confusion about what coaching truly entails. Is coaching the same as mentoring, consulting, or therapy? What exactly does a coach do, and what roles do they avoid?  In this article, we will aim to clarify the concept of coaching, clearly delineating what coaching is and what it isn’t, while also exploring the different types of coaching available and more. What is Coaching? At its core, coaching is a collaborative partnership between a coach and a client (which could be an individual, team, or organization). The primary goal of this relationship is to unlock the client’s potential and maximize their personal and professional performance.  Unlike other service professions, coaching is not about providing answers or solutions. Instead, it involves guiding clients to discover their own solutions, fostering self-awareness, and promoting sustainable change. Key characteristics of Coaching 1. Client-centered: Coaching is centered around the client’s goals, aspirations, and challenges. The coach does not impose their own agenda but instead facilitates the client’s journey toward their desired outcomes. 2. Non-directive: Unlike consulting or mentoring, coaching does not involve giving advice or instructions. The coach asks powerful questions, listens actively, and offers observations to help the client gain insights. 3. Future-focused: Coaching emphasizes forward movement and future possibilities rather than dwelling on past issues. The focus is on actionable steps that lead to growth and achievement. 4. Accountability: A significant aspect of coaching is holding the client accountable for their progress. The coach supports the client in setting goals and ensures they follow through on their commitments.  5. Confidentiality: Trust is fundamental in a coaching relationship. Coaches maintain strict confidentiality that creates a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. 7 Different types of Coaching Coaching comes in various forms, each customized to specific needs and contexts. Here are some of the most common types of coaching: 1. Life coaching: Life coaching is designed to help individuals achieve personal goals, such as improving relationships, finding work-life balance, or pursuing personal development. Life coaches assist clients in identifying their passions, overcoming obstacles, and creating a fulfilling life. 2. Executive coaching: This type of coaching is geared toward leaders and executives who want to enhance their leadership skills, improve decision-making, and drive organizational success. Executive coaches work closely with leaders to develop strategies for achieving their professional goals while maintaining personal well-being. 3. Leadership coaching: Leadership coaching focuses on helping individuals develop the skills and mindset required to lead effectively. Besides, this coaching is often employed in corporate settings to cultivate leaders who can inspire and guide their teams toward success. 4. Team coaching: Team coaching involves working with groups to improve collaboration, communication, and performance. And, the coach helps teams identify their collective goals, resolve conflicts, and build a cohesive, high-performing unit. 5. Organizational coaching: Also known as enterprise coaching, this approach is used within organizations to facilitate change, improve culture, and align teams with the company’s strategic goals. Organizational coaches work with multiple levels of the organization. From leadership to front-line employees, it creates systemic transformation.  6. Business coaching: Business coaching is aimed at entrepreneurs and business owners who want to grow their businesses, improve operational efficiency, or achieve financial success. Coaches in this field help clients set business goals, create strategic plans, and navigate challenges. 7. Performance Coaching: This type of coaching is focused on improving specific skills or performance in a particular area, such as public speaking, sales, or sports. Performance coaches help clients refine their abilities, set measurable goals, and achieve peak performance. The coaching process: what to expect? Initial consultationThe process begins with a consultation to discuss your goals and see if the coach is a good fit. This meeting sets the foundation for your coaching journey. Goal settingAfter the consultation, you’ll work with the coach to set clear, achievable goals. These goals will guide your sessions and keep you focused. Coaching sessionsRegular sessions (usually 30 minutes to an hour) are where the real work happens. You’ll explore possibilities, identify obstacles, and develop strategies to move forward. Action planningAt the end of each session, you’ll agree on specific actions to take before the next meeting. These steps are designed to bring you closer to your goals. Accountability and supportThe coach will help you stay on track by checking in on your progress and offering encouragement. This support keeps you motivated and focused. Review and reflectionPeriodically, you’ll review your progress with the coach. This reflection helps you understand what’s working, make adjustments, and continue growing. Conclusion and evaluationThe process ends when you’ve achieved your goals or feel ready to continue on your own. The final session includes a review of your journey, lessons learned, and plans for future growth. What Coaching isn’t? To fully understand what coaching is, it is equally important to clarify what coaching isn’t. Many people mistakenly assume that coaching involves elements of consulting, mentoring, therapy, or even management. However, these are distinct professions with different objectives and methodologies. Coaching vs. Consulting Consulting is a profession where experts provide advice and solutions based on their knowledge and experience. Consultants diagnose problems, design strategies, and often implement solutions on behalf of the client. In contrast, coaching operates on the belief that the client is the expert in their own life or work context. The coach’s role is to support the client in discovering their own solutions rather than prescribing them. Coaching vs. Mentoring Mentoring involves a relationship where a more experienced person (the mentor) offers guidance, advice, and wisdom to a less experienced person (the mentee). While mentoring can include elements of coaching, it also involves sharing the mentor’s own experiences and insights to help the mentee grow. Coaching, on the other hand, is