Confused? What is coaching in its truest sense?

I had a conversation with an old friend recently who asked if I went around fixing people in my profession and if I fixed every Tom, Dick and Harry I met. Well the answer is No. I accept people at face value knowing that they are probably much more than what meets the eye, so in effect no one needs to be fixed. We are all just where we choose to be, and freedom of choice is something I value highly, as well as integrity.
Here’s my take and from what I understand, the take of a lot of good honest coaches out there :

• Coaching is not a tool for fixing people, its a tool for empowering individuals.
• A Coach is completely independent, unbiased, non-political and needs to be non judgemental (within the realms of the law). Not an easy place to be as we are human, but its critical to allowing an individual to access their own resources because they tend to have the answers already. They are often surprised by what comes up! Having said that if asked, opinions can also aid in the coaching process.
• A coaching conversation always requires permission from the person being coached, or there may be an indirect request. Either way, a coaching frame requires a set context.
• It’s about getting to a place of acceptance of what is and understanding, and then taking action to get to where they want to be. In essence, letting things go from the past and learning from it, and being present to what is available now for the future.
• If an organisation is paying for coaching it is about investing in an individuals growth within the organisation.
• I have found that Coaching is more effective with Executives as its a very lonely place to be. All conversations are strictly confidential and unbiased so ideas are often bounced around. The creative ideas and concerns aired and dealt with, are invaluable.
• Alternatively coaching has been used as a tool to help executives with large teams to empower their staff as self motivated individuals, while their time is spent focusing on their own goals which are in line with their staff’s goals. Confidentiality is still paramount in this situation too.