Coaching
Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.[1] The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring by focusing on specific tasks or objectives, as opposed to more general goals or overall development.[1][2][3]
For theories of coaching, see Coaching psychology.Origins[edit]
The word "coaching" originated in the 16th century and initially referred to a method of transportation, specifically a horse-drawn carriage. It derived from the Hungarian word "kocsi," which meant a carriage from the village of Kocs, known for producing high-quality carriages. Over time, the term "coaching" transitioned from its literal transportation context to metaphorically represent the process of guiding and supporting individuals in their personal and professional development.
The first use of the term "coach" in connection with an instructor or trainer arose around 1830 in Oxford University slang for a tutor who "carried" a student through an exam.[4] The word "coaching" thus identified a process used to transport people from where they are to where they want to be. The first use of the term in relation to sports came in 1861.[4]
History[edit]
Historically the development of coaching has been influenced by many fields of activity, including adult education,[5] the Human Potential Movement in the 1960s,[6] large-group awareness training (LGAT) groups[7] (such as Erhard Seminars Training, founded in 1971), leadership studies, personal development, and various subfields of psychology.[8] The University of Sydney offered the world's first coaching psychology unit of study in January 2000,[9] and various academic associations and academic journals for coaching psychology were established in subsequent years (see Coaching psychology § History).