Understanding the language of personal and professional development
The field of growth coaching has its own specialized vocabulary that can sometimes be confusing for newcomers. This glossary provides clear definitions of key terms and concepts you'll encounter throughout your growth journey. Having a solid understanding of these terms will help you get the most out of coaching resources and implement effective strategies for your own development.
Taking ownership and responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and results. In coaching, it often involves setting up structures to help individuals follow through on commitments.
A communication technique that requires the listener to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said, rather than passively hearing the speaker's message.
A strength-based approach to change that focuses on identifying what is working well and how to do more of it, rather than focusing on problems and how to fix them.
The process of modifying actions, habits, or conduct to achieve specific goals or outcomes. A central focus of many coaching interventions.
Aspects of oneself or one's behavior that are unknown to the individual but may be apparent to others. Coaches help clients identify and address these unknown areas.
A formal or informal contract between coach and client that outlines expectations, goals, confidentiality, and other parameters of the coaching relationship.
The ability of a coach to be fully conscious and create a spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible, and confident.
Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment that may affect decision-making and behavior. Coaches help clients recognize and navigate these biases.
A psychological state where an individual operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.
A highly structured activity with the specific goal of improving performance, characterized by working on weaknesses, immediate feedback, and repetition.
A structured approach to improving skills, competencies, or performance over time, often created collaboratively between coach and client.
The ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions, as well as recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.
The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. Coaches facilitate empowerment by helping clients access their internal resources.
The belief that one's qualities, such as intelligence or talent, are fixed traits that cannot be developed. Contrasts with growth mindset.
A mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.
The belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This view creates a love of learning and resilience essential for great accomplishment.
The process of identifying specific, measurable outcomes that a person wants to achieve, along with creating actionable plans to reach those outcomes.
A psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud" despite evidence of their competence.
The drive to engage in a behavior because it is personally rewarding, rather than for an external reward. This is often a more sustainable form of motivation.
Thoughts or attitudes that one believes to be true about oneself, others, or the world that limit one's potential or personal growth in some way.
The process of expanding a person's capacity to be effective in leadership roles and processes, often a focus area in executive coaching.
The psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through practices such as meditation.
A developmental relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced person. Different from coaching in that mentors typically provide specific advice based on their own experience.
Open-ended inquiries that invite introspection, challenge assumptions, and lead to new insights or perspectives. A key tool in the coaching process.
A type of coaching focused specifically on improving measurable outcomes in a particular area, often used in business or athletic contexts.
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Coaching often helps clients build resilience to navigate challenges more effectively.
A technique used to help create a different way of looking at a situation, person, or relationship by changing its meaning. Also known as cognitive reframing.
Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. A fundamental component of emotional intelligence and personal growth.
Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework helps create clear, attainable objectives.
An approach that focuses on identifying and leveraging a client's existing strengths, talents, and resources rather than primarily addressing weaknesses.
A coaching approach that focuses on facilitating deep, lasting change by addressing fundamental beliefs, values, and identity rather than just behavior.
A stimulus that elicits a reaction or pattern of behavior, often emotional. Understanding triggers is important for managing reactions and developing new responses.
Core principles that guide a person's behavior and decisions. Clarifying values is often an important part of the coaching process to ensure alignment between actions and deeply held beliefs.
A technique where one creates a mental image of a desired outcome or state. Used to enhance performance, reduce anxiety, or prepare for challenges.
The difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with guidance. Effective coaches operate within this zone to facilitate growth.
Explore our curated selection of books that delve deeper into coaching concepts and terminology.
View Reading List
Learn about professional coaching credentials and how they can enhance your understanding and practice.
Discover Programs
Access scholarly resources that provide evidence-based insights into coaching effectiveness and methodologies.
Access Research