When hearing the word “coach” many initially think of sports coaching. The image is of a person who tells the players what to do. In other contexts or conversations the word “coaching” is understood so broadly as to be comparable to virtually any kind of supportive relationship. Yet there is a more specific meaning and use of the word “coaching” as it is used by the Lutheran Coaching Network. What might help to explain all of this is a brief history and practice of coaching found below.
One history says that the word “coach” can be traced back to the 1550s from the Middle French, German & Hungarian word which literally translates “carriage of Koaches.” This is from the name of the village, “Koc” which is pronounced “coach.” This town is the place where carriages were originally made.
The meaning for a coach as an instructor or trainer is said to come about in approximately 1830. It was used as slang term at Oxford University for a tutor who “carries” a student through an exam. Coach in the athletic sense did not come about until approximately the early 1860’s.
Then in the 1970’s and 1980’s the business world began to seek a way to fast track people’s development. The old route of mentorships and on the job training just wasn’t efficient enough with the increasing movement of people and competition. As a result, many ancient skills of working with people, including socratic questions to help people engage and think, began to intentionally be used. Then coach practitioners, primarily from the field of counseling, formed the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 1995. The use and spread of coaching has grown exponentially since. The ICF now has over 50,000 credential holders in more than 140 nations, certifying over 12,000 coaches annually. The ICF provides standards of ethics, competencies and graduated certifications. Their stringent requirements are recognized as the standard for both accrediting coach training schools and certifying individual coaches. The growth is explained because of its documented and recognized productivity. Coaching works.
The ICF defines coaching as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” They go on to say, “The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership. We all have goals we want to reach, challenges we’re striving to overcome and times when we feel stuck. Partnering with a coach can change your life, setting you on a path to greater personal and professional fulfillment.”
Others simply define coaching as “helping people to change without telling them what to do.” This is often done by asking questions which the client has not asked themselves.
Coaching is distinct from teaching, consulting, counseling and other helping skills. It is a way to engage others as a thinking partner so that the person or group being coached can intentionally work through where they are, where they need to be and then determine a way forward. This thinking process helps the individual or group recognize with great ownership their pathway and process. While counseling often reflects on the past to attain healing and stability, coaching focusses on growth and aims toward the future including growing into their God given potential. For Christians, coaching is held within the boundaries of sound doctrine, Biblical teaching, Godly living and faithful service.
Put another way, coaching is a dialogue whereby the coach helps the client think aloud and become more self aware. Through these means a client comes to new or renewed awareness, often resulting in seeing the way forward. Then with a coach, create a plan for changing personally or professionally. The practice can be done be within intentional dialogue or even informal conversations. It does not replace Word and Sacrament or discipleship. It is however a helping skill that may be added to on the job training, classroom instruction, advice giving, mentoring or other means of personal growth and development.
Some of the sources used: https://coachfederation.org; & Brock, V.G. (2012). Sourcebook of Coaching History.