What coaching is:

Professional coaching is a distinct service which focuses on an individual’s life as it relates to goal setting, outcome creation and personal change management.  Coaching is a specific process of interaction over a period of time that encourages a shift in who you are, what you do, and how you do it.

What coaching is not

Professional coaching is distinct from other professions:

Coaching is not therapy which focuses on dealing with and healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or a relationship.  The primary focus of therapy is resolving past difficulties.

Coaching is not consulting which focuses on retaining individuals or organizations for the purpose of accessing specialized expertise in a certain field.

Coaching is not training; training programs are based on the acquisition of certain learning objectives as set by a trainer or instructor.

Coaching is not mentoring which is a process of guiding from personal  experience or sharing of experience in a specific area of industry or career development.