The Power of Professional Coaching Skills for Physicians

In today’s leadership-driven world, the word coaching gets thrown around a lot. But there’s an important distinction that often gets overlooked: the difference between using coaching skills and engaging in professional coaching. In this article, we are going to talk about the similarities and differences between coaching skills and professional coaching.

What is Professional Coaching?

Professional coaching is a creative endeavor between a trained coach and client. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

Professional coaching is a trained discipline built on clearly defined competencies, ethical guidelines, and a collaborative framework between coach and client.

In a professional coaching relationship:

• The coach has formal training.
• The relationship is explicitly defined.
• There are agreed-upon goals and boundaries.
• The client sets the agenda.
• The process is designed to unlock insight rather than provide solutions.

It’s a creative collaboration between coach and client focused on helping the client access their own clarity and direction.

Coaching Skills Outside of Professional Coaching Relationships

Coaching skills, on the other hand, are a way of communicating and helping others see more clearly, plan more effectively, and be more intentional about what they want.

Most people use coaching skills every day without labeling them as such. 99.9% of the time we are using them outside of a professional coaching session, even when we’re using them in a professional coaching partnership. 

A physician may use coaching skills while guiding a patient through lifestyle changes. A department leader may use them to help a colleague think more strategically. A peer might use them simply by offering a nonjudgmental space to talk through a challenge.

Coaching skills are a powerful resource in leadership, patient care, personal development, and beyond.

Putting Coaching Skills & Professional Coaching to Use

One of the biggest misconceptions about coaching is that it’s all about giving expert guidance. It isn’t. Professional coaching assumes the client is naturally resourceful and able to find their own solutions. The coach’s role is to facilitate discovery, rather than provide answers.

Coaching skills follow the same philosophy. When used well, they help others see more clearly and plan more effectively.

Coaching skills are powerful communication tools we can use every day. Professional coaching is a structured partnership designed to unlock deeper transformation. Both can be valuable tools to elevate everyday interactions and the impact we have on ourselves and others.