What is Coaching?
Coaching is a relationship which promotes change by focusing on 5 key contexts:
- Listening
- Intuition
- Curiosity
- Forward and Deepen (Action and Learning)
- Self Management
Coaching
What are the benefits of Coaching?
The personal benefits of coaching are as varied as those involved; the list below is by no means exhaustive;
- Establish and take action towards achieving goals
- Chance to learn and grow in specific area(s) and in a safe, confidential environment
- Opportunity to think aloud.
- Support in thinking through problems/opportunities.
- Chance to identify and unlock potential.
- Become more self-reliant
- Gain more job and life satisfaction
- Contribute more effectively to the team and the organisation
- Take greater responsibility and accountability for actions and commitments
- Work more easily and productively with others
- Communicate more effectively
What Coaching is not.
Coaching is;
- Not about the past
- Not about healing or resolving symptoms
- Not about personal problems’
- The coach does not give solutions and unlike in sport, the coach is not the expert in the client’s field
- Not about telling you what to do
- The client has the solutions, the coach draws them out
- Not based around any taught syllabus
- Not prescriptive
- Not tied to a particular subject
- Driven by the needs of the client, not by outcomes or employers wishes
What does Coaching entail?
The timing and frequency of coaching sessions varies considerably depending on the needs of the individual. Coachees with a single performance issue might attend 1-4 one hour sessions over a period of 2-3 months. Others might like to meet 2-4 times a year.
Coaching is usually 1 to 1 and face to face. It is however possible to coach individuals successfully over the phone or via Microsoft Teams.
We are pleased to offer coaching as a recommended development resource within Ascend. We have a team of trained coaches who offer their time and skills to serve those in ministry within the Church of Scotland.
The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as
“Partnering with individuals in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
We recognise that coaching can have a profound influence when it comes to enabling people to create change, take action and make progress towards achieving their goals.
Our Coaches
Find out more
If you are interested in accessing coaching please contact pastoralsupport@churchofscotland.org.uk