By Mario Morelli, Partner at Excellence Education
Coaching is a creative and transformative experience of personal and professional growth, which develops within an equal relationship between coach and coachee.
A coaching path involves one or, more frequently, more sessions in which the coach supports the coachee in a process of exploration, reflection and action, to allow him to progress in self-awareness and achieve specific predefined objectives, generating a positive impact in his life.
The discipline of coaching is based on some fundamental principles that give it a peculiar physiognomy.
Self-determination and responsibility. The coachee is capable of identifying his own challenges, defining the desired objectives and finding solutions, exercising personal responsibility in the growth process.
Internal resources. The coachee has personal abilities, skills and potential that can be activated and developed. The coach’s task is to help the coachee to recognize and exploit the resources already present within him
Potential. Coaching has faith in human potential and firmly believes that every individual has an intrinsic ability to learn, grow and improve. The coach works to highlight and exploit this potential.
Focus on the future. Coaching focuses not on past mistakes but on future goals, with the coach supporting the coachee in a generative process of identifying new learning spaces, options and opportunities.
Active and non-judgmental listening. The coach practices it to allow the coachee to express himself freely, in a serene and confidential environment, and to allow himself to authentically understand his experiences, emotions and priorities.
Flexibility. There is no universally valid coaching approach, it is the coach who is in tune with the preferences, perspectives and learning style of the coachee.
A clear and focused structure of a coaching conversation is provided by the GROW model, developed by Sir John Whitmore, the founding father of coaching.
GROW is an acronym that indicates the four fundamental phases of a session:
1. Goal: identification of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) objectives. In this phase coach and coachee collaborate to obtain a clear direction for the conversation and direct the focus towards tangible results;
2. Reality: objective evaluation of the coachee’s current situation. The coachee reflects on reality without judgment, examining the challenges, available resources and opportunities for growth. This phase promotes awareness of the current situation;
3. Options: exploration of different options and possible solutions to achieve the established objectives. The coach uses empowering questions to stimulate the coachee’s creativity, encouraging him or her to consider different perspectives and strategies. This phase promotes the generation of innovative solutions;
4. Will: translation, by the coachee supported by the coach, of the ideas that have emerged into an action plan with clear and measurable steps. This phase focuses the coachee on a concrete commitment towards achieving the objectives established during the conversation.
In a corporate context, participation in a coaching program can bring multiple benefits, for example:
* promotes self-awareness, allowing participants to better explore and understand their own attitudes, behaviors and motivations. This fosters deeper personal growth and better adaptation to organizational challenges.
* facilitates the development of relational skills. Participants learn to effectively manage group dynamics, communicate clearly and build trusting relationships, thus improving collaboration and cohesion within the organization.
* helps manage stress and increase resilience. Participants learn to develop strategies to face daily challenges in a more balanced way, improving the organizational climate
* enhances the ability to analyze complex situations, problem solving and informed decision making
* improves the managerial, communication, decision-making and leadership skills of coachees
* contributes to the diffusion of an organizational culture open to innovation and change.
* helps balance personal goals with organizational ones, creating a sense of purpose and contributing to individual and collective effectiveness.
In conclusion, coaching is a powerful catalyst for positive, personal and organizational change. It is a fundamental strategic partner for companies operating in today’s professional contexts, characterized by high uncertainty and rapidity of change: the systemic approach of coaching contributes to creating healthier, more resilient and productive working environments.
