So often, “coaching” is used as a buzz term for almost any kind of interaction in the workplace (and everywhere else. Who would have thought there would be such a thing as a “knitting coach”?).

The term has been confused, misused, misunderstood and blasphemed. Yet, coaching is hot in the workplace. Executive coaches work with senior leaders and high potentials. More to the point, organizations are starting to consider the skill of coaching as an essential core competency for their leadership. Organizations that understand the importance of a developing, learning environment understand what “coaching” is.

But what I find is “coaching” most often confused with “feedback”, and sometimes “advice”. Here are some differences between coaching and feedback:

Coaching is:

• Focused on future behavior
• Developmental
• Inquiry oriented
• Used to help good performers move in the direction most appropriate for them

Feedback is:

• Focused on past behavior
• Evaluative
• “Telling” or “Advice” oriented
• Used to help poor performers move in a prescribed direction

In the end, coaching is about “letting go” and assuming the person being coached is whole, smart, and understands the best direction to head in. Feedback is more about control. Any questions?

See my favorite web sites on coaching: Professional Coaches Association of Michigan, International Consortium of Coaching in Organizations, International Coach Federation, Aspire Collaborative Services LLC.