Coaching Explained

Are you thinking about embarking on a Coaching apprenticeship, but are unsure if it is the right fit for you? Have a read of our explanation below to help you make the right decision.

Put simply coaching is a conversation, or a series of conversations that one person (the coach) has with another (the Coachee). The difference between this and other types of conversations is that it makes a real impact upon the person being coached. An effective coaching conversation can influence someone’s learning, understanding, behaviour, mindset, and emotional intelligence.

Coaching is defined by the impact of the conversation and therefore coaching might be a 10-minute call with a colleague or a formal face to face session that lasts 1-2 hours. It is important to highlight that during your coaching apprenticeship you will need to evidence formal coaching sessions that will involve contracting and using coaching models; this is unlikely to be achieved just by having quick ad hoc coaching conversations. Non the less you will notice how your informal conversations develop and improve over time. Coaching can be used in formal activities such as during appraisals, performance management, meetings and group discussions, supporting and motivating staff, solving problems and delegation.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I hold conversations with people who look to me for support?

2. Am I responsible for leading and motivating people?

3. Do I want to create a more resilient team?

4. Do I want to be better at performance management?

5. Am I responsible for supporting people in their career development?

If the answer to any of these is yes, then coaching is almost certainly going to support you in your role.

Benefits to the coach, coachee and organisation:

Examples include increased confidence and self-awareness, enhanced emotional intelligence, effective resolution to issues and challenges, business and personal growth and career advancement. It can enable better decision making and clarity of goals, improved time and stress management, enhanced verbal and non-verbal communication skills and delivery of organisational objectives. Coaching helps you become the best that you can be.

Learner testimonial

"I would recommend the Coaching Apprenticeship Programme to any professional looking to improve their people development skills. This programme has made me a better manager and a more effective coach. The BePro team are incredibly supportive and flexible, they help to make the programme work around you and your professional obligations and are always on hand to help. You are provided with a wealth of resources throughout the programme to expand your knowledge of coaching theory, frameworks and best practice, I was amazed at how much I learnt in a short time. Thank you BePro."