Why Coaching Isn’t About Fixing Someone

The short answer is no—coaching is not about fixing someone. Coaching is a developmental process, not a repair job. It is an investment in personal and professional growth for individuals who are ready to learn, evolve, and enhance their performance. While coaching can lead to significant improvement, it is not a quick fix or a tool to “correct” someone.

What Coaching Is Not:

1. Not About Fixing: Coaching is not about identifying flaws and forcing change. It does not treat individuals as problems that need solving but rather as people with potential that can be nurtured.

2. Not Coercive: Coaching is not about coaxing, cajoling, or pressuring someone into becoming who you want them to be. It is not a top-down directive but a collaborative process where the individual plays an active role in their own development.

3. Not a Quick Fix: Coaching is not an overnight solution. It involves setting goals, reflecting on behaviors, and taking consistent actions over time. Real change requires commitment and patience.

What Coaching Is:

• An Investment: Coaching is about pouring time, energy, and resources into someone’s growth. It provides a structured environment where individuals can gain clarity, develop skills, and create actionable plans to move forward.

• A Developmental Process: Whether someone has an initial desire to learn and grow or not, coaching can help open the door to new perspectives. It encourages individuals to explore their potential and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Creating Willingness: While a person does not need to be fully on board from the start, there must be at least a willingness to listen and consider new ideas. Coaching is most effective when the coachee is engaged and open to the process.

How to Approach Coaching in Your Organization:

If you are considering coaching for someone in your organization, start by:

1. Setting Clear Expectations: Clarify that coaching is not a remedial measure but a growth opportunity.
2. Ensuring Willingness: Gauge the individual’s openness to coaching. This can be as simple as starting a conversation about what coaching involves and how it could benefit them.
3. Providing Support: Offer resources and information about the coaching process to help them make an informed decision.

If you have someone in mind who could benefit from coaching—not because they need fixing but because they have the potential to grow—reach out to us at Learning Unlimited. And as always, keep learning and growing!