What is Coaching?

Coaching is focused on helping an individual or team with particular skills, set of tasks, or personal qualities. Coaching is focused on a specific area and guided by a coach or trainer with special knowledge about the skill or performance area.

Explore the interaction to learn more about when to coach (timing), who’s involved (actors), and its purpose (objective).

Timing

Coaching looks at the present and how to improve future performance in a particular skill. It most often occurs “in the moment,” when the need is first observed.


Actors

Coaching may be performed by a superior, but most frequently will be performed by a technical expert, teacher, or someone proficient in the skill. It is best used when the subordinate is highly motivated and is open to suggestions and ideas.


Objective

Coaching focuses on improving the performance of specific tasks or skills.