Personal Coaching Profession - Research Paper Example

 Personal Coaching Introduction Personal coaching, which is also referred to as life coaching, is a modern profession that is gaining popularity in the contemporary society. According to Biswas-Diener (2010), growth has been witnessed in the profession; thus, making it second to management consultancy in the rankings within the consulting industry. As a practice, personal coaching involves the use of a combination of techniques in nurturing individuals’ capabilities to ensure that an individual meets the highest level of accomplishment in life (Biswas-Diener, 2010). Interestingly, personal coaching is a nouvelle idea, yet it emanates from primordial practices of healthcare conducted by conventional communal specialists. During such periods, traditionalists spearheaded the campaigns towards personal development, as it was not as a beneficial activity. With the advancement of humanity, personal coaching is not only benefiting the community at large but also improving an individual’s lifestyle. Furthermore, the activity is encouraged among populations as it proves to be the best way of inducing success in activities such as medicine. Evidently, a psychologist often facilitates its initiation process since it is associated with the body’s mental processes (Biswas-Diener, 2010). Nowadays, psychologist use the information of personal coaching to develop individuals in sports and other activities that require the display of flair in performance. Analysis of Personal Coaching According to (Wilson 2011) & (Biswas-Diener, 2010), personal coaching utilizes a persons’ potential with the assistance from a guide or a profession, normally referred to as the coach in most cases. As an activity, it focuses on an individual level by engaging special guidance (Wilson, 2011). Usually, the coaches are professionals in a field that a person wants to excel. As apparent in this piece, psychologists facilitate processes associated with personal coaching, which are often customized for them to suit the person undergoing the coaching process. Before the exercise commences, the instructor looks into the people’s objectives. Later on, they decide on the finest possible way of providing services upon analyzing several requirements. Initially, there has to be a guarantee and understanding of the goals of the person undergoing coaching and the approach that the process will adopt. According to Wilson (2011), assessment of individuals occurs differently when devising their personal development plan. Therefore, the psychologist ought to comprehend the code of ethics concerning this profession before fully engaging in the process. This takes place before one ventures into the science of dealing with human behavior and thereafter whilst engaging in the profession. According to Thorne (2001), psychologists need to know that personal coaching is gaining popularity among populations because of the benefits witnessed by individuals who have undertaken the procedure (Thorne, 2001). The current lifestyle favors individual association based on the existing communication channels. As such, there has to be a clear outline of what the training process entails when engaging in personal training. Indeed, institutions are beginning to use this ideology professionally with the assistance of psychologists since its emergence has been challenging (Thorne, 2001). As a result, personal coaching is now a source of employment for many persons making it record growth. Therefore, a psychologist with this knowledge can exploit professional coaching as their source of income. In addition, it has become a lucrative profession due to the huge returns realized by those engaging in the process. Since it is part of the consulting industry and psychologists engage in consultation process, the agreement involved has to be mutual for the profession to realize growth. Thorne (2001) asserts that, in mentoring, the client has the capability of deciding the person most suitable in offering coaching services. They determine this supposition depending on their expected accomplishments upon choosing a personal coach. The coach is only a guide since the degree of accomplishment is dependent on the person receiving the services. Indeed, the coach assists the client in knowing the essential requirements of the person. The coach provides additional services that may be unwarranted. However, this might result to a breach for terms of agreement. This insinuates that the legal processes is involved in mentorship; thus, interfering with a psychologist who intends to assist the client. According to (Wildflower & Brennan (2011), coaching has a provision for accountability; thus, enabling the participants to benefit mutually when involved in the process. It is worthwhile to note, that there are cases when coaching services happen on a contractual basis; thus, their renewal is upon the satisfaction of a client. According to Griffiths (2005), the benefits of personal coaching are dependent on the intricacies of the process. In most cases, there development of new skills when undertaken properly as it is a continuous process of learning. People can overcome obstacles by realizing unique accomplishments through personal development. Likewise, psychologist can use information from coaching in preventing the occurrence of detrimental health situations. Through the process, a person has the opportunity of reflecting upon their lives, then deciding on their expectations. This activity is gaining popularity because of the integration of modern concepts in organization when promoting teamwork (Griffiths, 2005). Furthermore, the psychologists intending to undertake professional coaching should know other activities that resemble personal coaching. Besides, governments and authorities are also contributing to the growth of this profession by providing structures that facilitate mentoring activities. These institutions have ensured the legal processes are congruent with the requirements of such a profession. In addition, they have set up facilities that provide services on an individual basis. There are different areas in personal coaching that a psychologist has to be acquainted with. As such, the sole aim is to assist individuals in accomplishing their targets in various fields whether prescribed or informal. Secondly, executive coaching deals with strengthening specialization in a given profession. Conversely, there is wellness coaching which is concerned with lifestyle issues such as dieting and exercises. Wildflower & Brennan (2011) states that personal coaching often focuses on aspects that the psychologists embrace. Lastly, relationship-coaching deals with communication enhancement within a family set up. They are concerned with personal issues. Indeed, it is not forgotten that ensuring a life balance is also a form of coaching (Wildflower & Brennan, 2011). Though it has received much criticism, it focuses on solving psychological situations in a realistic manner. Interestingly, in the business setting, coaching entrepreneurship is utilized since it nurtures miniature and large-scale activities. It provides the necessary knowledge that enhances an individuals’ growth in business initiatives. It is apparent that success coaching is a general category of mentorship that intends to utilize an individuals potential in any given field. According to Bluckert (2008), different individuals are joining this profession as their passion. A person who may have received the services of coaching previously may intend to teach others. Hence, a psychologist should exude interest when planning to carry out the coaching process. Thereafter, the individual initiative will be the leading cause for the growth of the profession. Bluckert (2008) further postulates that the recent technological advances have enabled coaching to take place within any place of the globe. Initially, the personnel had to be in touch on a face-to-face basis, but nowadays it can be conducted virtually (Bluckert, 2008). Virtual coaching equally contributes to the growth of this profession as seen in the communication process using video conferencing and other modern techniques that support the use of technology. In this method, the feedback takes place instantaneously, which will be favorable in any field of consultancy such as psychology. The mentor has an advantage since they compare the current performance with their previous recorded information regarding personal coaching (Wildflower & Brennan, 2011). The person being mentored in a given situation only experiences challenges in cases where there is low level of literacy. However, technological coaching does not require significant preparation. It requires less in terms of the period for the coaching process. There is no need for meeting room and other facilities, as everything happens online. There are cases where the travelling costs are not incurred using this form of coaching online. Personal coaching also attributes its growth to the desire of people to engage in self-employment. This has resulted to individuals developing interest and passion for mentoring other people’s skills (Bluckert, 2008). As a flexible profession, the client can determine the number of persons he can handle. Satisfaction with it brings the ability to choose the working hours and the financial requirements. Personal coaching as a career provides an opportunity to accelerate personal growth as one is engaged in what she likes. This profession gives more option in life; thus, increasing the levels of interest. The friendly challenges has led to the growth of this profession; thus, making it an ongoing process since it encourages people to learn more about the work as they progress with their daily chores (Griffiths, 2005). Committing a mistake is often an opportunity to explore more and enhance growth in life. As a source of income, it formalizes relationship by encouraging growth of different individuals. As a profession, coaching is experiencing expansion; thus, there are certain requirements that a coach has to fulfill for him to be considered an effective coach. Firstly, listening skills are a mandatory requirement as coaching is all about communicating information to an individual (Griffiths, 2005). This takes place in different forms as the mentor and his client can communicate formally or informally depending on the information that the individual intends to relay to the other. This attention assists in overcoming fears and other challenges that result to misunderstanding. According to psychologist, this is at the core of attaining discipline in any given field whether be it sports or academics. Ingram (2002), alludes that the coach has to note that communication is a two way process and what is required is total commitment in coordinating various activities. Not only the client is required to interpret and comprehend information, but the coach should also do so. At this stage, there is elimination of bias and negative attitudes. Here, it is intended not to give a clients a solution by assist him in coming up with the solution. There has to be a coach’s capability of creating a rapport with their clients. Personal coaching experiences domestic challenges resulting from globalization, which make people, exude anxiety towards solving these problems by the help from professionals (Ingram, 2002). At this stage, the personal coach is hired when suggesting solutions. Flexibility is a necessary requirement during this stage especially fro psychologists interested in professional coaching. The trainer should be aware that the benefits are long term and should focus more on developing attitude, as it is that by the mind conceptualizing then it is conceivable. According to Whitworth (2007), psychologists being professionals, they perform comprehensive studies on mental processes and human actions through observation, understanding and recording on individuals behave. The professionals perform this noble task with an aim of assisting individuals to identify and realize their personal goals in similar form as life coaches. Ideally, psychologists can perform better as life coaches if they adopt fundamental principles of coaching. Psychological treatment is a process that entails superior understanding of individual’s limitations and aspirations towards helping clients to develop excellent action plans that are development oriented. Clearly, psychologists perform professional coaching that advances one’s capacity to personal fulfillment (Thorne, 2001). Psychologists who want to practice professional coaching effectively should develop strong coaching techniques and guidelines that are socially acceptable and culturally viable. It is imperative to note that, psychologist and professional coaches perform similar work that seeks to develop individuals and direct their lifestyle through mutual understanding. According to Wilson (2011), psychologists studies individuals mental processes and behavior while personal coaching emphasizes on Mindset and personal growth. This is realized through comprehensive assessment and questioning of clients to ascertain their needs and limitations to facilitate advancement of superior strategies with sustainable results. Indeed, personal coaches are under obligation to develop individual behavior and career rather than to impose such qualities. This is to ensure that one’s development is nurtured systematically based of superior specifications and capacity (Wilson, 2011). That is, effective transformation of one’s activities, demands explicit understanding and assessment of requisite potentials to avert unfair imposition of ideals. Consequently, coaches should reflect critically on individual’s scenario distinctively generate an in-depth understanding and establishment of superior approaches that are transformative in nature. Indeed, psychologists who want to pursue coaching effectively must adopt these basic principles to facilitate personal fulfillment and behavioral change. Change is a complex process, which is not achievable easily. It requires tolerance and clear conceptualization of individuals needs based on social and cultural capacities to enhance formulation of viable action plans with potential assistance (Thorne, 2001). Therefore, psychologists should adopt clear policies that develop individual’s behavior and career with limited imposition to advance achievement of realistic goals. It is important for individuals to realistic on their potentials and pursues activities that match their potential. Psychologists should develop clients to pursue realistic activities based on available potentials (Passmore, 2008). This is critical since imposition may lead to unwarranted suffering and mistakes that would further delimit individual’s performance and propensity. They should also reflect on individuals’ potential before directing them on various transformative strategies and actions. This should begin by understanding what the client’s expectations and how the aspect would transform his lifestyle. Psychologists who want to be professional coaches should be aware of the major aims of professional coaching and its objectives to advance their preparation with an aim of providing amicable solution to clients (Whitworth, 2007). In particular, they should understand that the process should be a one on one teaching tailored on client’s important goals. They should be acquainted with the concepts goal that is to improve productivity and performance in various facets of operation. According to Whitworth (2007), psychologists need to develop noble attitudinal capacities that views coaching and counseling practices as elements that provides remarkable difference in individuals’ lives. The concepts require holistic integration with at most diligence on service delivery based on ethical values. Evidently, the concepts provide superior incentives to individuals towards ensuring personal fulfillment. Psychologists should equivocally identify the imperativeness of coaching and the related effect that it presents in their profession. Coaching provides individuals with requisite strengths that facilitate goal identification and performance in general. It ensures that individuals are advised appropriately on various issues with an aim of developing superior strategies that are growth oriented (Nigro, 2007). It relates to psychologists responsibilities that facilitate human behavior and mental development that advances fulfillment hence it is crucial for psychologists to offer coaching services to individuals. Indeed, coaching presents immense incentives to individual’s career and advancement that informs psychologists the need to venture into the field. In particular, it helps to develop requisite strategies that better work and life balance of individuals towards performance improvement (Nigro, 2007). The concept offers transformative ideologies that are synonymous to psychological assistance that helps individuals to identify and attain personal goals. The concepts improve career direction of individuals and development inline with set objectives. Conclusion In order to practice coaching professionally, psychologists should adopt requisite qualities that are relevant in formulating superior human development strategies. Psychologists should have superior listening capacity and problem solution technique to ensure adequate understanding of one’s needs. Listening is an imperative element that individuals who aspire coaching activities should advance. This facilitates the formulation of solutions that center on addressing to individual’s complications (Passmore, 2008). Clearly, proper conceptualization is a crucial element that psychologists and professional coaches should adopt to ease assessment and internalization of various issues. Consequently, problem solution technique is also a fundamental aspect that coaches and psychologists should exhibit to help clients to develop relevant strategies and action plans with an aim of personal actualization. References Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Practicing positive psychology coaching: Assessment, activities, and strategies for success. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Bluckert, P. (2008). Psychological dimensions of executive coaching. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Griffiths, K. (2005). Personal coaching: A model for effective learning. Journal of Ingram, H. (2002). Personal coaching: Releasing potential at work. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 14(4), 198-198. http://search.proquest.com/docview/228332113?accountid=45049 Learning Design, 1(2), 55-65.web 14 may, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.jld.qut.edu.au/ Nigro, N. J. (2007). The everything coaching and mentoring book. Avon, MA: Adams Media. Passmore, J. (2008). Psychometrics in coaching: Using psychological and psychometric tools for development. London,UK: Kogan Page. Thorne, K. (2001). Personal coaching: Releasing potential at work. London: Kogan Page. Whitworth, L. (2007). Co-active coaching: New skills for coaching people toward success in work and life. Mountain View, Calif: Davies-Black Publ. Wildflower, L., & Brennan, D. (2011). The handbook of knowledge-based coaching: From theory to practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Wilson, C. (2011). Best practice in performance coaching: A handbook for leaders, coaches, HR professionals and organizations. London: Kogan Page. Read More