In my untangling work, I ask my clients questions and I listen to what they say and then ask them more questions – and I sometimes help them choose between options.

But is that coaching? Well that’s a good question, which I will try to answer below.

So what is coaching?

I think that coaching is about 3 different things:

• Listening and acting as a sounding board for someone’s ideas or challenges
• Accountability to help someone make progress towards a goal
• Asking questions in a structured way to help someone find their own answers.

With my basic knowledge of coaching (I did a 6 week introductory course with Barefoot Coaching last year), I would say that the last of those is what I’d call ‘proper coaching’ – with a structured approach, using tried and tested coaching models. I’d expect a coach offering this type of coaching to have done a training course (although coaching is not a regulated industry, so not all coaches have qualifications or accreditation).

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as: “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”

I’m about to start studying for an associate coaching diploma with Optimus Coaching Academy, which will lead to a qualification and then accreditation by the ICF. That will teach me how to use coaching skills, how to hold space for someone to find their own answers, and how to structure a coaching session – among many other things.

So what type of coaching can I offer right now?

I can listen to someone and ask questions, and provide accountability – the first two items on the list above – as those are two things that I do naturally as someone with project management and line management experience. Some people might refer to these services as ‘coaching’.

And, I can provide practical advice on choosing ideas, planning projects and organising your time in a way that works for you, which I describe as ‘mentoring’ rather than ‘coaching’, because I’m sharing my experience and knowledge when I do this.

Once I have reached a suitable point with my coaching course, I will add structured coaching sessions into my portfolio of services as well. These will start at a discounted rate while I am training and accumulating my practice hours, and increase once I receive my qualification and accreditation.

So am I a coach?

That may depend on who you ask and what their definition of coaching is. I’d say no, I’m not a coach, I’d describe myself as a ‘coach in training’, but acknowledge that some of my mentoring and project services do provide a basic form of coaching. And I am a good listener who asks a lot of questions!

If you’re interested in finding out about my current services, please visit here to see details and to arrange a chat to see how I can help you.