Presuppositions & Ethics of Coaching

This powerful set of presuppositions of coaching are written by Joseph O'connor & Andrea Lages and are a useful outline of some of the key principles of coaching.

There is no failure, only feedback.
Failure is only a judgment about short term results. A client never fails.

If you want to understand, act.
Action is the answer, the learning is in the doing.

We already have all the resources we need or can create them.
There are no unresourceful clients, only unresourceful states of mind. The client's deeper wisdom is waiting to be discovered.

All behaviour has a purpose.
Actions are not random; clients are always trying to achieve something, although they may not be clear what that is.

Having a choice is better than having no choice.
If clients are given a better choice according to their values and beliefs, then they will take it.

You are doing the best you can - and you could probably do better.

You create your own reality.
Clients operate as if those mental maps are reality. The mental maps they create can limit their potential more than any real constraints from the outside world.

Coaching is an equal, synergistic partnership.
If you think one and one only make two, it is only because you have forgotten the power of the 'and'.

The client has the answers.
The coach has the questions.

© Joseph O'Connor & Andrea Lages

William adhere's to the coaching ethics and standards laid down by the European Coaching and Mentoring Council. Please click here to download a full copy of the EMCC Code of Ethics.