The Origins of Coaching

There are different opinions on the origins of coaching. Some argue that coaching is a natural part of life, used for centuries by parents, teachers, and business leaders. Others, perhaps more in tune with new forms, approaches, and methodologies, argue that coaching is a new discipline and a new profession.

One cannot deny that most parents put aside their own personal needs in order to raise their children and nurture them to adulthood; that teachers dedicate their lives to developing the minds of their students; that most business leaders take great pains to provide a structure for employees to meet their career aspirations, and the good ones to provide valuable feedback for improvement, at least from a career perspective, if not more.

The reality is that the ancient science of coaching exists today in a new form.

In times past the parent, teacher, mentor, or counselor was considered the expert, providing answers to be followed literally, Because of this, the thinking and beliefs of coached individuals tended to remain linear, resulting in later difficulties in reconciling their actions with their belief systems, and in feelings of fear, blame, and emotional pain.

Most of us have only praise for the ‘coaches’ who have sacrificed themselves for our development. We know we would not be where we are if it were not for their devotion and dedication, whether or not we still agree or not with the lessons we learned from them.

However, the new coaching form embraces the principle that the client is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole, and as such holds the answers to his or her own needs. The major difference is that the client is seen as both teacher and student. In this approach the coach is not the expert in the client’s life. His job is only to ask powerful questions, leading the client on a path of self-discovery and awareness of new perspectives, and thus to action and commitment. This inner discovery leads to self-confidence and empowerment. Empowerment is the alignment of your personality with your soul.

These so called new modalities of coaching evolved from the early seventies and eighties, with Werner Erhard, creator of EST (later Landmark Forum); Thomas J. Leonard, founder of CoachVille/Schools of Coaching; and Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House, and Phil Sandhl, authors of Co-Active Coaching, and co-founders of the Coaching Training Institute and Minnesota Coaches Association.; as well as with many other schools and institutes not mentioned here, but equally important.