coaching
KOH-ching
/ˈkəʊ.tʃɪŋ/
The process of training or instructing a person or group to achieve a specific goal or develop specific skills.
Coaching is usually task-oriented and short-term, focusing on immediate performance improvements, whereas mentoring is more holistic.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Hungarian village of Kocs, where high-quality horse-drawn carriages were made. Just as a carriage carries a person from point A to point B, a coach carries a person from where they are to where they want to be.
Word relationships
- training: Training is often for a large group; coaching is personalized.
Commonly confused with
- mentoring: Coaching is about 'how to do it now'; mentoring is about 'who to become later'.
Word family
- coach (noun/verb): A person who coaches; to provide coaching.
Collocations
- executive coaching
- performance coaching
- coaching session
Example sentences
- "The CEO hired a specialist for executive coaching to improve her public speaking skills." Executive development.
- "Effective coaching involves asking the right questions rather than just giving the right answers." Sports metaphor in business.
Memory hook
A coach is a vehicle for your success. Carrying you to your goal.
When not to use
Don't use it for general teaching in a classroom; it implies a one-on-one or small group focus on performance.
Fun facts
- The use of 'coach' for a tutor or instructor began at Oxford University in the 1830s as slang for a tutor who 'carried' a student through an exam.
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