By Leonardo Ravier

Currently, our profession suffers a serious and prevalent problem.

The main problem with our profession is not the ignorance that exists in the market, is not those clients who come to us not knowing what is coaching, is not the “intruders” who call themselves coaches, nor schools that mix Coaching with NLP, Enneagram, or other disciplines without any distinction. No, all these examples are mere symptoms of a deeper problem.

WE are the main problem. It’s called our “methodological inconsistency.”

Today, all coaches virtually have come to an agreement about what coaching is. All of us can assume, with nuances often irrelevant, that coaching definitions such as the ICF or those of other associations and institutions, exist in the world of coaching.

However, this apparent consensus is dangerous, since we have not yet agreed on how to do what we say we do. Almost  90% of the description of coaching’s definition did not include methodological aspects, or show preference for mixing it with other methodologies like consulting, advising, training, positive psychology, or others.

The Wellcoaches video titled “How Coaching Works” has the same methodological problem.

For many coaches it is imperceptible, or irrelevant, the fact that the coach of the video has a toolbox through which he guides the client, allowing him, even to save the coachee´s life, with a network that cushions his dangerous fall from the ladder.

However, regardless of whether the stages or phases described in the video are essentially correct (meeting to explain the problem or objective; clarification of what is to be achieved through a vision exercise; determination of the action plan and the journey itself that would lead to “success”) the way to proceed for this video coach may be methodologically inconsistent and inefficient in the coaching profession.

This is the coaching definition of the video that explains how the coach works:

“Coaches provide instruction and mentoring to their clients, and help them set goals, define an action plan, and navigate the path until they reach their goals. Coaches facilitate learning and help clients put the learning into action”

If the essence of coaching methodology is instruction and mentoring, then how, in methodological terms, does our profession differ from other advising or training professions?(or, at most, does coaching would become some sort of advice or training?)

This issue is not trivial at all.

At another time I will expand on this methodological problem and will explain the historical, theoretical and ethical roots of “Non Directive Coaching” as a coherent and efficient approach of coaching.

Also, I’ll discuss any type of coaching that may ignore the importance of methodological issue itself becoming the process of coaching – by contrast, inconsistency, and deficiency.

Meanwhile, I open the debate.

More Featured Articles by Leonardo Ravier

PREGUNTA

Hola, quisiera saber cuál es la diferencia entre coaching directivo y no directivo.

Gracias.
María

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Answer to the post “1976 Book: EST Making Life Work”
By Vikki Brock, MCC
March 2rd, 2009
The Coaching Commons

Hi Vikki,

I still believe that the issues you bring us are vital to understanding and advancing the discipline of coaching. And this, despite the fact that we have major differences from our position in the discipline of coaching.

Here is my point of view.

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Answer to “Are you Coaching-Problems or Solutions?”
By Claire Chapman
February 5th, 2009
The Coaching Commons

Dear Claire Chapman:

I understand your point of view, and I believe that I share it. I say “believe” because I’m not sure if I understood all of your arguments.

My point of view is as follows.
In coaching to “solve problems” or to “create something new” is the same. Evidently, is clearly preferable to speak of objectives (in positive terms) and not of problems (in negative terms), but in essence we are talking about the same thing.

Coaching, always creates something new from the coachee. I offer you this example that I usually use in my classes for training coaches, where I explain why the coaching is essentially creative (and how works the process of coaching).

Coaching Process

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COACHING NEWS

ISSN 1708-9026
December 16, 2008

This newsletter is a publication of Peer Resources (http://www.peer.ca), and is distributed at no cost to subscribers every 45-60 days. Back issues of The Coaching News are available at (http://www.peer.ca/thecoachingnews.html). All articles are written by Rey Carr unless otherwise indicated. Anyone who would like to contribute an article or information for an upcoming issue of the newsletter can contact Rey Carr at rcarr@peer.ca

Peer Resources is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to identifying coaching information from around the world and turning it into knowledge, support, resources of value to coaches, the coaching industry, and the general public.

TOPICS:

• Peer Resources Seeks a Successor
• Attend a Top Level Coaching Event
• Champions for Coaching
• Seven Studies and Resources to Guide Coaching Practice
• What’s New in the Coach Training World
• What’s New in Coaching Associations and Publications
• Join the Peer Resources Network
• Details About The Coaching News

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Post “Which are the Core Competencies in Coaching?”, por Leonardo Ravier
November 3rd, 2008
The Coaching Commons

One of the most important research areas within the world of coaching would be determined by the study of the necessary and sufficient skills to be a coach or a “good” coach.

A few years ago, when we compared the competencies determined by the ICF (International Coach Federation) with the “old” IAC (International Association of Coaches) we saw a big difference in approaches. Today, the “new” IAC (International Association of Coaching) seems to have greater alignment and unity of approaches (See table below).

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COACHING NEWS

ISSN 1708-9026
September 23, 2008

This newsletter is a publication of Peer Resources (http://www.peer.ca), and is distributed at no cost to subscribers every 45-60 days. Back issues of The Coaching News are available at (http://www.peer.ca/thecoachingnews.html). All articles are written by Rey Carr unless otherwise indicated. Anyone who would like to contribute an article or information for an upcoming issue of the newsletter can contact Rey Carr at rcarr@peer.ca

Peer Resources is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to identifying coaching information from around the world and turning it into knowledge, support, resources of value to coaches, the coaching industry, and the general public.

TOPICS:

• Peer Resources Seeks a Successor
• Attend a Top Level Coaching Event
• Champions for Coaching
• Seven Studies and Resources to Guide Coaching Practice
• What’s New in the Coach Training World
• What’s New in Coaching Associations and Publications
• Join the Peer Resources Network
• Details About The Coaching News

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Respuesta a Allan Mackintosh en “How Effective is the GROW Model?“, May 13th, 2008.
Por Leonardo Ravier.
The Coaching Commons

Comment by Leonardo Ravier on 4 July 2008:

Hi Allan,

I apologize for my delay in responding.
Thank you for your comment. Indeed, I believe that your model clarifies the “steps” needed to develop in the coaching sessions or processes.

In my book, published in early 2005, I presented a comparison of the three best-known coaching models (GROW, OUTCOMES and ACHIEVE), where you can see, visually, what you mention.

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PREGUNTA

Hola,
Me gustaría saber, que es Coaching y su planteamiento en las competencias.

Alexandra

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Comentario a “Abraham Maslow – Founder of Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology”, de Vikki Brock, MCC
The Coaching Commons

Comment by Leonardo Ravier on 22 March 2008:

“A Theory of Human Motivation” (Maslow, 1943) is more GRANDIOSE and HUMBLE than the simple pyramidal representation of needs.

Many people ignore that Maslow did not illustrate the hierarchy of needs with a pyramid. In fact, Maslow did not illustrated his theory, because when he talks about “hierarchy” he does not refer to a rigid concept (like a pyramid), rather as something dynamic and flexible. Therefore, the pyramid, does not correctly represent correctly his theory.

Maslow wrote this theory in “A Theory of Human Motivation (1943), originally Published in Psychological Review, 50, 370-396. http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm

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