Coaching as a performance tool means different things to different people. For the purpose of this report however, we will stick to the two definitions below.
What is coaching? Coaching is a powerful tool that can help you to make changes in your business or career, improve your performance, enhance your relationships with others or develop specific skills. (http://www.personal-coaching-information.com/what-is-coaching.html). Also it can be defined as “… unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them" (Whitmore, J, 2009)
Coaching can be directive or non-directive. Directive coaching is usually seen in situations where the coach offers the performer solutions, tools and techniques for moving forward. (http://www.personal-coaching-information.com/what-is-coaching.html). The danger is usually that the performer may like the coach’s solutions, though they may not be entirely suitable for the situation. This may usually result in a lack of commitment on the performer’s part. The coach becomes a consultant in effect.
Non-directive coaching has been described as ‘coaching in the true sense of the word’ (http://www.personal-coaching-information.com/what-is-coaching.html). In this situation the coach simply asks the performer questions which allow him to find his own solutions. A non-directive coach would not offer any advice and rarely even gives suggestions to the performer. Instead he will skilfully apply questions that will aid the performer to view their situation from a different perspective, gain clarity, uncover options, challenge inconsistencies and give them a sense of responsibility.
The greatest advantage of non-directive coaching is that the performer takes full ownership of their solutions rather than being doing what they have been told. This brings on the feeling of accomplishment through responsibility. All the insights, timescales,