Demystify some of the jargon

Association for Coaching (AC)

Established in 2002, the AC is an independent non profit organisation, one of the lead professional bodies for Coaches with the goal to promote best practice, raise awareness of standards and professionalism of Coaching for both professional Coaches and Organisations involved in Coaching.

Attitude

an opinion or general feeling about something – such as a positive attitude to change

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is the largest and broadest body within the sector of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Through its work BACP ensures that it meets its remit of public protection whilst also developing and informing its members. It’s work with large and small organisations within the sector ranges from advising schools on how to set up a counselling service, assisting the NHS on service provision, working with voluntary agencies and supporting independent practitioners. BACP participates in the development of counselling and psychotherapy at an international level.

Behaviour

the way in which somebody behaves, the way in which a person or group responds to a specific set of conditions

Business coaching

coaching in a setting where the context and issues are orientated around business activity.

Change

a continuous process that may be incremental (modifications) or transformational (dramatic)

Coaching

a forward looking activity delivered by a trained coach often in a 1:1 relationship who encourages and supports an individual/team to identify opportunities and achieve goals.

Chartered Institute for Personal Development (CIPD)

Established in 1913 as the Welfare Workers’ Association (WWA) with a membership of just 34 people, the organisation has become the largest body of personnel and development specialists in the world with a membership of over 125,000. Having finally achieved unity amongst the personnel and training and development traditions within a single institute, it achieved chartered status in 2000.

Coaching Supervision

is different from coaching, because coaching is just about you as a person; supervision is about the nature of your relationship with the people you coach and your developing Practice.

Confidence

self assurance or a belief in your ability to succeed.

Conflict

a situation where the concerns of two people (or groups) appear to be incompatible.

Consultant

an ‘expert’ in a particular field who will advise a person on how to conduct an activity.

Culture

a particular set of attitudes that characterizes a group of people – in for example an organisation.

Counselling

a remedial activity delivered by a trained counsellor normally in a 1:1 relationship who will listen to a person’s anxieties or problems. In a situation where a person may be experiencing distress, counselling is often the most appropriate form of remedy.

Decision-making

the process of making choices or reaching conclusions, especially on important political or business matters.

Drive

momentum provided towards the successful operation or functioning of something.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centred therapies. EMDR is an information processing therapy.

European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

exists to promote good practice and the expectation of good practice in mentoring and coaching across Europe. It is a pan-European Council that consists of representatives from several national EMCC’s plus direct members in countries where a local EMCC does not yet exist.

EMCC UK

is part of the Europe-wide European Mentoring & Coaching Council, which exists to promote good practice and the expectation of good practice in mentoring and coaching across Europe. EMCC is an independent, impartial and non-profit making organisation.

Executive coaching

coaching an executive in a corporate setting orientated around developing personal performance and leadership.

Focus

concentrated effort or attention on a particular thing.

Goals

an agreed outcome/target to a specified activity. As a minimum ‘goals’ should be SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE, REALISTIC, TIMED (and in addition should be Positively stated, Understood, Relevant, Environmentally sound, Challenging, Legal, Ethical, Appropriate, Recorded).

Identity

the set of characteristics that somebody recognizes as belonging uniquely to himself or herself and constituting his or her individual personality for life

Improve

to make something better in quality or condition, or someone become better

The International Stress Management Association (ISMA)

ISMAUK promotes sound knowledge in the prevention and reduction of human stress and is an advocate of best practice in the field of stress management. With branches in 10 countries. ISMAUK sets professional standards for the benefit of individuals and organisations using the services of its members. Promoting sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention and reduction of human stress, ISMAUK is the leading UK professional body representing a multi-disciplinary professional health and well-being membership.

Life coach

coaching a ‘private’ individual in the context of his or her personal life.

Maximise

to make something as great as possible, maximize the chances of success, to attach the greatest importance to something

Mental toughness awareness

understanding of the effectiveness of decision making under extreme stress.

Mentoring

a teaching activity with an experienced person who will share tips from his or her own experience in the particular activity.

Motivation

the biological, emotional, cognitive, or social forces that activate and direct behaviour; the ‘fuel’ that turns thoughts into action.

Performance

the level of output/activity, resulting from the impact of ‘interferences’ that prevent full potential. Performance is made up of skills/knowledge and also the behaviour/attitude with which an individual deploys those skills/knowledge.

Personal competence

the ability to do something well, measured against a standard, especially ability acquired through experience or training relating to a specific person rather than anyone else

Potential

having a latent possibility or likelihood of occurring, or of doing or becoming something, a capacity to develop, succeed, or become something

Revitalise

to give new life or energy to somebody or something

Self-awareness

having a balanced and honest view of your own personality, and often an ability to interact with others frankly and confidently

Skill

the ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience

Skills coaching

coaching an individual/team on particular skills.

Solution

a method of successfully dealing with a problem or difficulty

Stress Management

the skilful handling or use of mental, emotional, or physical strain – in order to avoid symptoms such as raised blood pressure or depression.

Targets

See Goals

Therapy

a remedial activity delivered by a trained therapist in a 1:1 relationship who will explore what it is that stops someone doing something. In a situation where a person may be experiencing psychological damage, therapy is often the most appropriate form of treatment.

Time Management

the skilful handling or use of time as a resource

Trainer

a senior or experienced person in a company or organization who gives guidance and training to a junior colleague

Vision

the ability to anticipate possible future events and developments

Work/Life Balance

the proper balance for an individual that facilitates fulfilment across a broad spectrum of activities, but particularly between work and ‘non work’