Research Paper: Coaching As A Mainstream Profession – How Does The Near Future Looklike?

Research Paper By Raghuraman J
(Executive Coach, INDIA)

Introduction:

The only thing that is constant in the world is change

Heraclitus’s prediction in 500 BCE could not be more appropriate in terms of timing than now!!! The last few decades witnessed unprecedented changes that have changed the way we connect with the world. At all levels we see and experience change, be it social, professional, political and technological space!. Obsolescence and innovation have become such an inseparable twins that we can’t but deal with them together.

One of the off shoots of this awesome change sequence in the professional stream is, the emergence of Coaching as a field of discipline which has the potential to positively influence the lives of so many. The earliest evidence of Coaching comes from the great Indian epic Mahabharata where characters such as Arjuna, Dhrona, Karna, Bhim were hailed for their mastery over a few martial arts. And their disciples took pride in being trained or coached by them.

Scope:

The scope of this paper is to study and visualize the progress coaching as a profession is likely to make over the near future, say over the next 5 years, surface potential challenges and explore a few responses to the emerging context.

Coaching – Origin and Definition

“The word coach is derived from the term “coach”, a medium of transport and traces its origins to the Hungarian word “Kocsi” meaning “carriage”!! The inference is that a “coach” carries people from their current place to a desired place!!!

Unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance.

John Whitmore

Coaching/ mentoring /consulting /training: they are not the same!!

By flux of time and practice, these terms tend to be used interchangeably, often defusing the power of each of these approaches. The significant difference between coaching and the other three forms are that, in coaching, the client has maximum say and seen as an expert over the subject. In this context the role of the coach is to be present with the client, and walk with him/her in the journey towards progress

Coaching As a Profession – as is where is analysis

Before we embark on the study, it’s worthwhile to record a few characteristics of “Coaching” as a profession. A few are listed below:

• Coaching is relatively new as a concept (mid 90s) and draws from many other disciplines such as adult education, psychology, sports, and from many leadership theories and practices.
• Doesn't have a defined standard that is universally accepted such as Doctors, Lawyers, and Teachers.
• Popularity is more in western world and in USA than in any other part
• Mostly done in private on an one on one basis
• No fixed norms of professional charges
• High dependency on client and referrals
• No specific efforts on marketing as a body
• Organizational adoption not very fast
• Often gets miss interpreted with mentoring and counseling
• Knowledge enhancement is a key competency