The Coach's Handbook Part VI - Coaching is an Art not a Science

While the structure of the coaching relationship has been discussed, little has been said about the
actual process of effective coaching. How does one learn to function as an effective coach? What
skills and abilities does one need to have? Can coaching be taught in the same way we teach a
science or technology? Or, is coaching more like an art, which can be expressed, but can never be
formalized into a general set of rules or procedures?

We take the position that coaching is more like a performing art rather than a structured
technology for human interaction. We have already acknowledged that coaches often make use of
rules, techniques, and other methodologies when they are needed. At the heart of the process of
coaching lies a more fundamental, non-structured responsiveness which results in uniquely
human expressions such as: compassion, leadership, creativity, wisdom, vision, and commitment.
You cannot pretend these things; it has to come from the soul.

In a similar illustration, professional dancers, athletes, and other artistic performers need certain
basic skills and abilities to reach a high level of professional performance. However, the source of
their actions and behaviors is not merely those skills themselves. A human being does not
perform coaching as a simple product of learned skills and behaviors. More is required for
successful coaching.

Next week: Extraordinary Coaching

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