What is Coaching?

Have you ever felt stuck, knowing you want a change, but are unsure where or how to start? Are you recently divorced and must go back to work, but lack the confidence to begin your search? Perhaps you hate your job and want to pivot to your passion. The following will help you learn what coaching is and how it can help in life, love, and career.

Coaching Defined

Coaching is a collaborative, goal-oriented process where a coach helps individuals unlock their potential, gain clarity, and create actionable steps toward personal and professional growth.

Unlike therapy, which often delves into past issues, coaching’s focus is the now and the future, aiming to help clients move forward and achieve specific outcomes such as landing a better job, receiving a better salary, or increasing business profitability.

Approach to Coaching

This is key, and yes, people have asked me to give them the answers. A coach will not give you the answers. Instead, a coach will use powerful, thought-provoking questions that dig deep and offer techniques to help you discover your solutions.

Coaches provide support, structure, motivation, and accountability to help clients stay on track and overcome obstacles. It is a collaborative effort. The coach listens 80% of the time, often marking the only point in a client’s day where they feel “heard.” The other 20% of the session is made up of reflection and questions to help the client uncover their potential, and then a personalized action plan is collaboratively developed, one that the client is comfortable enacting.

Coaching draws on psychology, leadership studies, and neuroscience to help clients make lasting behavioral changes. However, as mentioned above, it is not therapy. Therapy helps patients work through mental health issues, change problematic behaviors, and develop coping skills. Coaching empowers and supports individuals in working through current obstacles to achieve a promising future through goal-setting and personal development.

People seek out a coach to work toward a specific goal, typically requiring a few sessions.

Areas of coaching include life coaching, career coaching, relationship coaching, and wellness coaching, among others, each tailored to different personal and professional needs.

The benefits of coaching include clarity, improved self-awareness, increased confidence, enhanced decision-making, refined communication skills, and overall life satisfaction. The coaching industry has experienced significant growth in popularity, with expectations to reach a $7 billion global industry by 2025. Most clients report significant improvements in relationships and career development.

Coaching vs. Mentoring and Consulting.

A mentor is an experienced professional who offers guidance, support, and encouragement to a less-experienced individual to develop their skills, knowledge, and career. Mentors share experience and advice. A coach does not provide the answers.

A consultant is the same as a mentor; however, they are often assigned to business or management.

Science and Credibility

One of the reasons I love coaching is the science behind it. As a psychology major, I learned the theories behind coaching, such as social-cognitive theory, specifically self-efficacy, which is one’s capability to believe in their ability to succeed, a crucial aspect of coaching.

Let’s Coach

Coaching is a powerful tool for personal and professional transformation. A client of mine was stubborn at first. During a session, he stopped and became emotional because he was reminded to breathe through a challenging work situation. I had forgotten about his “Ah-Ha” moment until recently. We encountered each other at a Networking event, and after publicly describing my coaching business, he provided me with a testimonial before promoting himself. He again became emotional, recalling the moment he paused and reflected during our session. As the room listened, he declared how coaching with me helped him.

Free Discovery Call

If you’re ready to gain clarity and take control of your future, book a free discovery call with Coaching with Ms. D today.

Coaching with Ms. D offers both individual and package options of 30- and 60-minute Coaching Sessions, where you will be asked thought-provoking questions and learn strategies to build your life, career, and grow your relationships. You will gain clarity, confidence, and be prepared with a personalized approach to achieve your goals.

I AM NOT A LICENSED THERAPIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. COACHING SESSIONS ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THERAPY OR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. We focus on the present and future. I provide personalized support and strategies to help you achieve your career goals and self-evaluate your progress. Together, we work towards your ultimate success. Schedule your free consultation now!

Do you want to work in the beauty field? My book, The Future Professional's Guide to Cosmetology, answers all your questions about the industry. Email your inquiries to coachingwithmsd@gmail.com or call me at 732-800-6416 (during Eastern Standard Time business hours).

Follow me on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for coaching and site subscription updates. Coming soon: Online classes and webinars. Visit www.asktheprostylist.com for online cosmetology tutoring, state board prep, and a downloadable cosmetology practice exam.

©Deirdre Haggerty 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is unlawful to reproduce this article or any part without the author’s prior written