'''Coaching''', with a professional coach, is the practice of supporting an individual, referred to as a coachee, through the process of achieving a specific personal or professional result. The term 'client' may be used in life-coaching but in commercial settings the term 'client'  ''is used''<ref name=McLeod>{{cite book | title=Peformance Coaching - the Handbook for Managers, H.R. Professionals & Coaches | first=Angus | last=McLeod | isbn=1904424058 }}</ref>to describe the organization that 'pays' and not the person receiving coaching.

'''Coaching''', with a professional coach, is the practice of supporting an individual, referred to as a coachee, through the process of achieving a specific personal or professional result. The term 'client' may be used in life-coaching but in commercial settings the term 'client'  ''[[is used]]''<ref name=McLeod>{{cite book | title=Peformance Coaching - the Handbook for Managers, H.R. Professionals & Coaches | first=Angus | last=McLeod | isbn=1904424058 }}</ref>to describe the organization that 'pays' and not the person receiving coaching.

Description of coaching process

Description of coaching process

The structure and methodologies of coaching are very numerous with one unifying feature, coaching approaches are predominantly facilitating in style, see [[facilitation]]; that is to say that the coach is mainly asking questions and challenging the coachee.  

The structure and methodologies of coaching are very numerous with one unifying feature, coaching approaches are predominantly facilitating in style, see facilitation; that is to say that the coach is mainly asking questions and challenging the coachee.  

Coaching is differentiated from therapeutic and counselling disciplines.  

Coaching is differentiated from therapeutic and counselling disciplines.  

The facilititive approach to coaching in sport was pioneered by Timothy Gallwey, hithertoo, sports coaching was (and often remains solely a skills-based learning experience from a master in the sport). Other contexts for coaching are numerous and include executive coaching, life-coaching, emotional intelligence coaching and wealth coaching.  

The facilititive approach to coaching in sport was pioneered by Timothy Gallwey, hithertoo, sports coaching was (and often remains solely a skills-based learning experience from a master in the sport). Other contexts for coaching are numerous and include executive coaching, life-coaching, emotional intelligence coaching and wealth coaching.  

Today, coaching is widespread. For example, Newcastle College registered 15,000 students on its Performance Coaching Diploma Course from launch and within its first four years. The UK's Chartered Institute of Personnel Management ''[[reports]]''{{cite book | title=Taking the Temperature of Coaching, 2009 | }}</ref> that 51% of companies (sample of 500) 'consider coaching as a key part of learning development' and 'crucial to their strategy', with 90% reporting that they 'use coaching'. The basic skills of coaching are often being developed in managers within organizations specifically to upskill their managing and leadership abilities, rather than to apply in formal one-to-one coaching sessions. These skills can also be applied within team meetings and are akin then to the more traditional skills of group facilitation.  

Today, coaching is widespread. For example, Newcastle College registered 15,000 students on its Performance Coaching Diploma Course from launch and within its first four years. The UK's Chartered Institute of Personnel Management ''reports''{{cite book | title=Taking the Temperature of Coaching, 2009 | }}</ref> that 51% of companies (sample of 500) 'consider coaching as a key part of learning development' and 'crucial to their strategy', with 90% reporting that they 'use coaching'. The basic skills of coaching are often being developed in managers within organizations specifically to upskill their managing and leadership abilities, rather than to apply in formal one-to-one coaching sessions. These skills can also be applied within team meetings and are akin then to the more traditional skills of group facilitation.  

Certification and Accreditation

Certification and Accreditation

Instructing, coaching and mentoring differ. Instructors disseminate knowledge.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} Coaches help coachees to build skills. Mentors shape mental attitudes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} Alternately, instructors train to immediate tasks, coaches accompany achievements, and mentors provide whole-life shaping.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}

Instructing, coaching and mentoring differ. Instructors disseminate knowledge.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} Coaches help coachees to build skills. Mentors shape mental attitudes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} Alternately, instructors train to immediate tasks, coaches accompany achievements, and mentors provide whole-life shaping.{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}

There are many definitions of coaching, mentoring and various styles of line management and training.  Greif defines <ref>Greif, S. (2007). Advances in Research on Coaching Outcomes. ''International Coaching Psychology Review'', 2(3), 222–249</ref> coaching 'It aims at improving the attainment of self-congruent goals or cconscious self-change and self-development'. McLeod ''[[defines]]''<ref name=McLeodg>{{cite book | title=Performance Coaching - The Handbook for Managers, H.R. Professionals & Coaches | first=Angus | last=McLeod | isbn=1904424058 }}</ref> coaching as 'the use of silence, questions and chellenge to assist a coachee towards a defined target. These are often present issues or ones that relate to the future'.

There are many definitions of coaching, mentoring and various styles of line management and training.  Greif defines <ref>Greif, S. (2007). Advances in Research on Coaching Outcomes. ''International Coaching Psychology Review'', 2(3), 222–249</ref> coaching 'It aims at improving the attainment of self-congruent goals or cconscious self-change and self-development'. McLeod ''defines''<ref name=McLeodg>{{cite book | title=Performance Coaching - The Handbook for Managers, H.R. Professionals & Coaches | first=Angus | last=McLeod | isbn=1904424058 }}</ref> coaching as 'the use of silence, questions and chellenge to assist a coachee towards a defined target. These are often present issues or ones that relate to the future'.

The position is complicated by the perceived overlapping between many of these activities. A more succinct definition positions coaching as follows:{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}<br />

The position is complicated by the perceived overlapping between many of these activities. A more succinct definition positions coaching as follows:{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}}<br />

===Life coaching===

===Life coaching===