The Coaching Commons: Why Are You Here?

The Coaching Commons is playing an important role in the coaching world. I wonder, though, if you’re playing it too safe? You’ve duplicated some things that others do better (compile research, highlight best books, provide tips, collect news stories, for example).

What is missing is that more precision critique, expos√©, analysis and examination of trends and issues. I think you’ve substituted reporting for investigative journalism. For example, the extent and scope of marketing that goes on from coaches to coaches and from coaches to potential clients is one of the elements that distinguishes coaching from all other helping professions. Yet, there is virtually no guide to determine the bumpf and crap from true value.

The coaching world is filled with organizations, associations and individuals claiming they provide value, but instead only preying on vulnerable people eager to make a decent living doing something they consider worthwhile.

Where is the Coaching Commons with this phenomenon?

Personally, I believe a balance is a good thing i.e. the basics like compiling research, providing tips, etc. which can be great resources for those growing in the coaching ‘profession’ and as ‘reminders’ to practising coaches (I for one need such reminders from time to time as I am not perfect and at times reminders do instil my performance as a coach).

However, I do strongly agree with Rey that “more precision critique, expos√©, analysis and examination of trends and issues”, would distinguish and provide the ‘unique selling point’ for ‘The Coaching Commons’ since there are now tens of great ‘media’ that also disseminates great coach-related contents. Perhaps a balance can be strike between research and practice & an openness to examine the ‘realities’, ‘truths’, ‘challenges’, and ‘scope of differences’ that are integral to the elevation of coaching as a true profession?

Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.

Rey and Billy, thanks for you comments and I agree that the Coaching Commons should take on the bold responsibility of focusing on critical issues that threaten or advance the field of coaching. Our new Coach Reporter has had a couple of beginning suggestions from readers and is in the process of exploring the groundwork necessary to fully develop these stories for our readers. Please continue to voice your opinions and suggest topics that should be brought to light. You can email me or Mark Joyella at team@coachingcommons.org or mark@coachingcommons.org to suggest additional story ideas.

What’s working and working well and what isn’t?

I want to know if you can identify what it is you did to promote breakthrough? What are you doing differently in contracting, intervention design, attracting clients and retaining clients?

What don’t we know that we need to know to succeed in our profession? i.e. what aren’t we paying enough attention to?

That’s what comes to mind for now though I can’t guarantee there won’t be more later

Thanks for asking!

Donna

Hi Donna – In my opinion, the breakthrough of the Coaching Commons is that all coaches (and others) are invited to the conversation – without regard to association, training, experience or credentials, etc – in an effort to find out what coaching is, how and why it works, and how we can collaborate to advance the industry. There have been remarkable discussions and comments this summer on a variety of coaching topics, and Twitter has opened the door for hundreds more to join in. Also hiring Mark, (Coach Reporter) to exclusively cover coaching – what a breakthrough for the field! Thanks for your response – and now I ask others to address Donna’s questions – What don’t we know that we need to know about professional coaching, and what are we NOT paying enough attention to…? Great questions! Anyone?

Perhaps the answer to the separation between a conversation and professional coaching lies in defining: “What constitute universally accepted coaching declarative & procedural knowledge; and the subtle definition of the ‘performance knowledge’ required for professional coaching? Have we arrived at a universally accepted ‘standard’, ‘practice’, ‘ethics’, etc. that consider all stakeholders, and distinctively & hologramitically separate what coaching is and is not?

We have all these existing and evolving, yet we have yet to agree to arrive on ‘universality’? Why is this so?

Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.

One trend that concerns me is the professionalization of coaching. What started as an historical and natural practice of people to help each other do their best, be their best, and make a difference in the lives of others, has now become overwhelmed by organizations, associations, and language meant to exclude day-to-day conversations, support and practical assistance.

Credentialism, accreditation, and standards may actually reduce the indigenous help that is available within almost every peer group. The idea that you must be credentialed to actually provide needed, powerful, and performance-based results is a good example of an elitist trend. The over-abundance of marketers preying on coaches to take their practices to “the next level” reinforces the elitist notion by leaving the impression that if you’re not on the road to “excellence” you aren’t worthy (and nobody will find you helpful).

I believe the trend is that practically ‘everyone’ & ‘anyone’ can call himself/herself a coach. It is also true that there are an ‘over-abundance of marketers’ who prescribed their own ‘brand’ of coaching (whether claiming being the ‘best’ or the ‘only way to do coaching’?).

I see a need to have an acceptable ‘identity’ that reflects what coaches do; yet without it, it will be free-for-all and everybody and anyone can call himself/herself a coach.

If free-for-all should be the way forward, it will then be up to the market/clients who will ultimately decide, what coaching is or is not (based on their respective coach-coachee relationship experiences).

Can this be an acceptable option? Yes, for certain clients who have ‘magical experiences’ working with non-certified coaches (and there are plenty in the market). No, if the client may be subjected to persuasive ‘marketing & sales gimmicks’, and are locked into the ‘coaching contract’, and not getting value-for-the-investment.

The notion that one should be ‘certified’, and if not so; “aren’t worthy (and nobody will find you helpful)”; should not be suggested or claimed by anyone; as it will not evidently hold true.

Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.