I’ve finished this book as well. It’s quite interesting, a bit challenging at times (we hear more and more about the concept of coaching, but I think there are still very few people who fully understand what this process truly entails and how it should be applied). Many want to write books on the topic, give talks, or offer coaching services (ideally for as high a fee as possible), but do they really know what it means to be a true coach?

Sir John Whitmore mentions that coaching brings out people’s potential to maximize their performance. It helps them learn on their own rather than being taught by others. To use coaching effectively, we need to adopt a much more optimistic view of everyone’s latent capabilities. According to the author, each of us is like an acorn, which, if well-planted and watered, can grow into a magnificent oak! I agree with this – each of us is capable of amazing things; we just need to find those things and achieve them. This is precisely the role of a coach: to help us become aware of these “talents” and then hold us accountable for them.

Of course, it’s often easier to “give orders” (go and do that thing) or play the teacher (this must be done in this way), but coaching isn’t about what you can impart; rather, it’s about what your “student” can prove to themselves (that they can do it, that they know it, that they can find solutions). And this applies to children, employees, friends, and so on. Self-motivation is a matter of choice and often yields the best results: when you want to perform, you’ll do better than when you have to.

Don’t tell someone they’ve failed – that will only make them feel bad. Instead, show them what can be corrected or avoided in the future. This is a very true statement, although sometimes it may be incredibly difficult to follow. Performance, learning, and enjoyment are closely linked, and all three must be present in a successful coaching process.

Being a quality coach has never been easy, nor will it be. But if we want a better world, that’s what each of us must strive for. In the end, we do it to educate our children better, to have quality friendships, and to foster a positive attitude at work and in society. Each of us can take on the role of a coach in various situations in life, and it would be good to know what to do and how to do it when that moment arises.

I’m curious, have you ever tried the role of a coach? And if so, how?