In recent years, since this notion has grown in popularity in our country, more and more Romanians are asking "What is coaching?", and some make the mistake of thinking they know the answer, because they simply translate the term from English: a... training. Indeed, just as an athlete needs the guidance of a coach in order to reach his full potential and make the most of it, by winning matches or tournaments, so an employee benefits from sessions with experts in his field, exercising his job more successfully or managing to advance quickly up the ladder.

Although it can be placed alongside similar terms such as "education", "mentoring" or "personal development", coaching has a profound side... practical, which is why I have stated that the answer is hidden in the title question itself. Thus, this process is primarily aimed at achieving goals and not necessarily at resolving conflicts. Also, the coach is set on improving the performance of his learner, here and now, with results in the near future. So, everything takes place in the present, without any important connection to the past (unlike psychotherapy, for example).

When we ask ourselves what coaching is, we cannot neglect the personal side, transformation being one that can spill over into our private lives, even if it is often aimed at our profession. A coach is not a therapist in the real sense of the word, even if he is very interested in implementing the psychology behind reaching a target, but rather a guide, who shows the client the path and the tools to reach the top, but who does not beat his way to the top. The questioning, the rephrasing and the paraphrasing are ways in which the master suggests to the participant what he has to do, helping him to identify the blockages inside him, sometimes harder to overcome than the external ones.

After all, you know best what coaching is for you, as everyone sets their own definition and a personalised itinerary to the target, following the "road markers" drawn by the teacher. So, it just opens your eyes or, rather, points you in a new direction, and from there it is your responsibility (but also your merit, of course!). In conclusion, this journey can be unpleasant, as you realise your weaknesses, but all that matters is to cross the finish line, literally and figuratively, in the most profitable and rewarding way.

We can't end the chapter "What is coaching?" without mentioning the programs that Brightway®️ offers you in this field, namely: Executive Coaching - for senior managers with complex needs and leaders of large teams, Sales Expert Coaching - for people with sales experience who need a change of perspective and Transformational Coaching - for anyone looking for solutions or answers and feels they need additional guidance.

What do you say, now that you know what coaching is, are you ready to delve deeper into it for tangible benefits on all levels? We're waiting for you to discover... the bright way!