Background and evolution of coaching - coaching business

As a social discipline, coaching has a theoretical background on which it has generated its models of practice and content. The purpose of this article is to present some of the precedents that the My Web Studies team considers to be key.

When we talk about the origins of coaching, we usually go back to the figure of Socrates. During his lifetime, the philosopher made use of the maieutic method, which consists of obtaining knowledge through dialogue, this exchange is characterized by the question-answer-analysis-solution system. The Socratic method sought that from an erroneous idea, through the intellectual exercise of debate, to reach the most complete knowledge possible. The main factor to take into account as a precedent is the idea that the disciple contains within him the knowledge, he just needs to discern it. Just as in coaching, where it is recognized that the coachee already possesses the tools beforehand, he just has not been able to extrapolate them.

Another classic figure of reference is Plato, educator and faithful supporter of Socrates, his work is available in the format of epistolary, and some dialogues that transcended as a literary and philosophical legacy worldwide. Plato ratified the indispensability of conversational practice, and the effectiveness of rationally-driven questioning.

Some coaching scholars assert that Plato's dialogues can be studied as primitive sessions of the discipline. This theory points to similarities in the role of two basic tools: leading questions and active listening. There is no way to develop a questionnaire that fits the situation without practicing genuinely attentive listening. It is only through listening and observation that the coach is able to perform to his or her full potential. The coachee needs to verify the process in which he or she is engaged, and powerful questions are the most commonly used way to legitimize it.

Now, in the case of Aristotle we have more definite comments on what can be considered his theoretical contributions. The first is his idea about how the individual can live in view of who he wishes to become, and not be satisfied with what "one is". This is a non-deterministic formula. The second idea is a continuity >what is the methodology for becoming what is desired? Aristotle indicates that the method of change lies in the prior conversion of habits, moving towards good actions.

Leaving behind the classics, we also find a theoretical source in existentialist philosophy. The existentialists were those who placed the essence before the characteristics of each existence, and this essence was a moldable and profoundly intimate concept. Man can choose how his essence is composed, and in correlation with this he behaves in his existence. According to this line of thought the human being is not subject to nature as a defining order, but can ultimately define himself who he is. One of the premises of coaching consists in the freedom of each person to determine his or her own destiny, the constant possibility of change, and the projection that it takes to engage in a personal adventure.

Another philosophical current that functions as a support for modern coaching is phenomenology. In this case the theoretical meeting point is the recommendation of the practice of psychological self-observation. The coacheé or individual interested in establishing this philosophy as a pillar of lifestyle, must face an intuitive gesture, trying to decipher himself from the psychic experiences in the purest possible way, moving towards a zone free of conceptions, and fixed rational ideas, meaning preconceived knowledge.

But the most direct influence in terms of starting moment is located in sports training. Specifically by the hand of coach Timothy Gallwey, who designed and applied a sports methodology under the name "The Inner Game". This methodology was based on the idea of the coexistence of two parallel games for the athlete in action, an inner game, which took place in his mind, and the game that actually occurred outside, and in which he participated. Both games had slightly different objectives, the inner game ran for more intimate and subjective purposes, and defined for better or worse the practical performance. Given the success of Gallway's approach, the model was exported to other areas of work, being used in companies, health institutions, and even in education or artistic activity. Modern coaching works a lot on the basis of awareness, knowing that everything that is programmed within the action plan must be internalized beforehand in view of its effectiveness.

Finally, the current coaching as we know it is the work of Thomas J. Leonard. He was in charge of transforming the method by assimilating concepts added from philosophy and psychology. In such a way that coaching responded to a daily application with the objective of changing the coachee's life. Coaching is established as a process to optimize the vital performance of individuals, whatever the objectives and goals.