{"id":44157,"date":"2011-05-24T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2011-05-24T09:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happinessplay.com\/blog\/?p=44157"},"modified":"2026-10-17T20:21:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T20:21:08","slug":"what-is-a-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happinessplay.com\/blog\/what-is-a-coach","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Coach? What Coaching Is and What It Is Not"},"content":{"rendered":"

“What is a coach?” is a very common question, and the answer is simple: a coach is a person who does coaching. Coaching, in general, is a process or method that helps people get things done (call them dreams, goals or objectives)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Now that we know what a coach is, how do you become one, and where do you study coaching? Since almost everyone calls themselves a coach these days, it helps to say first what coaching is not.<\/p>\n

What coaching is not<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Coaching is not…<\/th>\nBecause…<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Training<\/td>\nA trainer teaches a skill. A coach asks questions so you find your own answers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Therapy (psychology or psychiatry)<\/td>\nTherapy treats difficulties of the mind. Coaching looks at where you want to go.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Consulting<\/td>\nA consultant gives expert solutions. A coach does not hand out the solution.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mentoring<\/td>\nA mentor shares their experience. A coach does not need to have walked your road.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If someone offers you any of these, bear in mind that you are not being sold pure coaching. You are being sold some other service mixed with coaching.<\/strong> It is like buying a strawberry yoghurt and being told it is strawberries: everyone knows there is more yoghurt than strawberries. That is life, but it is good to know.<\/p>\n

Be careful: a lot of yoghurt is sold at strawberry prices.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How to tell what you are being offered<\/h2>\n