What Is Coaching?

In its purest form, I always think of coaching as the ultimate efficiency tool—a process that doesn’t just help someone achieve their goals but accelerates their journey, sparking fresh ideas and driving meaningful action. At its best, coaching is a catalyst, turning potential energy into kinetic force. It’s the kind of guidance that opens doors to new perspectives, broadens horizons, and often leads to opportunities a client hadn’t initially envisioned.

Of course, plenty of people might feel that a coach isn’t necessary, and they could be right. Many achieve incredible success on their own through grit, curiosity, or a knack for finding the right path. But here’s the thing: what if they could reach that success faster and with fewer setbacks? Imagine bypassing months or even years of trial and error by tapping into a process that helps you anticipate obstacles, focus energy, and sharpen priorities. With coaching, the road to success can often be streamlined, with a higher chance of avoiding missteps that might otherwise sap time, resources, or enthusiasm.

The process, however, requires a true openness from the client—a willingness to explore ideas that might initially feel foreign or uncomfortable and to embrace the momentum that comes with self-discovery and growth. A coach isn’t there to hand over solutions but to ask the right questions, to listen intently, and to act as a mirror, helping clients see things they might otherwise overlook. This openness is the first, and perhaps the most critical, ingredient for progress. Without it, coaching loses its transformative edge.

Interestingly, the goals that clients come in with may evolve over time as new insights emerge. Sometimes, a person might start with a clear, well-defined objective—like advancing in their career, launching a new business, or developing a skill—but as they explore their motivations, strengths, and underlying values, other pathways can begin to materialise. The original objective may shift or expand, or a different, more fulfilling avenue might present itself, allowing for a richer and more holistic sense of achievement.

In this way, coaching doesn’t just help achieve goals; it reshapes them. It’s a process that reveals a more nuanced understanding of what “success” might look like for each person and how to reach it in a way that aligns with their values and aspirations. With the right coach, the journey can be as rewarding as the destination, with new layers of potential waiting to unfold at every step.