In this weeks guest post Karen Wise shares her views about the public perception of coaching. She also invites you to participate in a survey to gain your views.

Is there a public misperception about coaching?

By Karen Wise

Over the last year, I have found myself having a similar conversation with my friends, relatives and clients: “What is coaching?”

Before you all start shouting the answer, I want you to stop and think…….

Because I have been on a journey to explore what people understand about coaching, and the answer is not that obvious. Every coach I know can readily give you a definition of what coaching is, but can Joe Public?

My research has led me to understand that there are 10 definitions that are widely recognised and used by professional bodies and organisations. And as coaching professionals, we’re encouraged to develop our own definition of coaching that represents the “way we do it”.

And then what happens in a session? How long is it? Is it face-to-face, over the telephone or via email? How often do you meet your coaches?

Again, I can already hear a thousand different answers. And surely all these different ways of being coached is confusing for potential coachees?

We are working in a growing industry which is unregulated. In order to find our place in the market, we develop our “niche”. And whilst this generates clients and income, does it actually contribute to a public misperception of what coaching really is?

I feel that it’s more important than ever that the coaching industry becomes regulated so that we can start giving out consistent, positive messages about the profession: coaching can so powerful, enabling and rewarding for both the coach and coachee when it’s done well. Perhaps it’s already too late, and the current level of diversification has diluted our profession to a point from which we cannot recover. I hope not.

So I continue on my journey and I am currently undertaking a piece of research on this topic. If you’re interested in contributing to my research, please click on the link below which will take you to a survey. It will only take 5 minutes to complete and your responses will be completely anonymous.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GTGNTZK

About the Author/Further Resources

Karen Wise, MCIPD is an Organisational Development Consultant and Coaching Psychologist, with over 12 years’ experience of working in Human Resources roles up to and including Director level within the NHS in the UK. Karen now runs her own consultancy and coaching business, with a particular interest in outplacement coaching. She is also currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Coaching Psychology at the University of East London. You can follow Karen on twitter (karenwise) and read her weekly blog on working in HR in the NHS at www.karenwise.wordpress.com