What is Scientific Coaching and Why Should You Care?
When we think of coaching, the first things that come to mind are sports and personal development. But what if there was a way to coach executives using the principles of science? In this blog post, we'll explore scientific executive coaching and why it's a valuable tool for business leaders. We'll also discuss some of the benefits of this type of coaching and how it can help you achieve your goals. So, whether you're an executive looking for help reaching your professional goals or a coach interested in learning more about this approach, read on!
What are some of the benefits of scientific coaching?
Scientific coaching is a type of coaching that uses the principles of psychology and organizational science to help business leaders reach their professional goals. It differs from other types of coaching methods in that it is based on evidence-based strategies and techniques.
The key reason you want to use an approach to coaching based in science is that some coaching ideas that sound good, either don't work at all, or actually harm clients. The entire idea with a scientific approach is to make sure you give yourself the best chance to help a client achieve their goals.
When looking for a scientific coach, it's important to consider their qualifications and experience. First, although a coach might have a formal credential, such as a Professional Certified Coach or Master Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, that's no guarantee that they fully understand the latest science. In addition, we recommend that you ask a prospective coach about the science that under-girds their approach. While coaches with a background in organizational psychology may have some knowledge, they're not the only coaches with this expertise. Coaches who want to land more clients, and get better referrals want to maximize their odds of using the best techniques that really work.
As technology platforms come to dominate the coaching landscape for finding new clients, like Coaching.com, merely having testimonials and anecdotes from past clients who are happy won’t differentiate you from other coaches. What will, is your ability to explain why you’re able to better help clients than other coaches, and that requires using the latest science.
Here are ome examples:
a) If a client wants to improve their ability to influence and persuade, a coach should have mastered Robert Cialdini's seven Principles of Persuasion.
b) If a client wanting help managing stress, one of the best ways to do that is to understand “Adjustment” of the Big Five model of personality, sometimes called “neuroticism”.
c) If you have a client wanting help leading a transformational change, you’ll improve your odds of helping them if you’re fully proficient in Bass & Avolio's Full Range Leadership Model, or Antonakis’ Charismatic leadership tactics.
If you’ve only heard of these models, and aren’t fully proficient, you’re not maximizing the odds that your clients will achieve their goals.
