To many, the term ‘psychology’ integrated with business coaching is almost paradoxical. Yet, funnily enough one cannot coach business without having the psychological perspective that integrates the people in the business with the systems and processes that they work with.
Business coaching is an eclectic process assimilating numerous strategies to achieve a specific outcome for the coachee. The focus point of the coaching may be the business, it may be the business owner, it may be an aspect of the business. Regardless, the psychology of the person operating the business has a direct effect on many areas of the company.
Working with structures and procedures requires a technical mind. There are decisions that have clear consequences, and the accuracy of those decisions are usually simply quantifiable. Yet the people making those decisions are indeterminate. The people influencing those choices are complex, and the domino effect of people affected by those making the decisions is immeasurable.
Numerous avenues of business coaching require a psychological approach. From managing negativity, to self-defeating behaviours, business people often find themselves in downward spirals of despair. The coach’s role is not to bring them up but to form the tools themselves to pull themselves up. Similarly when the coachee is in a positive state of mind, how can that be optimised and utilised to its greatest potential.
Without psychology, business coaching becomes a process discussion, regardless of human ingenuity, emotion or originality. Business coaching is about coaching the people who make the business run. Working with the thoughts, feelings and actions so that they achieve their desired outcome.
Psychology is not just a tool, it’s the foundation for business coaching success.