What Coaching Is and What It Isn’t

And how to make sure you're working with someone qualified to support you

Coaching can be a powerful, transformative experience. At its best, it creates the space for deep reflection, clarity, and meaningful change.

But here’s the hard truth: coaching is an unregulated industry. That means anyone can call themselves a coach—regardless of whether they’ve completed any training, hold any certifications, or are accountable to any professional standards.

That’s a problem.

Coaching is not just about being a good listener or having gone through some personal growth. It’s a profession that requires rigorous training, supervision, practice, and ethical grounding.

Just like you wouldn’t trust your physical health to someone who isn’t board certified or trained in medicine, we believe you shouldn’t trust your growth and leadership development to someone who lacks proper coaching credentials and standards.

Yes, someone can be passionate. And yes, they may have life experience. But passion and experience alone don’t make someone a qualified coach.

And if someone is only trained in one method or approach, you may find that you’re being steered toward their solution—rather than being supported in uncovering your own.

What Kind of Coaching Do We Offer?

At StartHuman, we specialize in leadership and executive coaching, as well as coaching for integration—supporting people as they apply what they’ve learned in leadership programs or navigate pivotal moments of change.

Our coaches are professionally trained, certified, and accountable to ethical standards. We draw from multiple frameworks, evidence-based models, and years of real-world leadership and organizational experience. We partner with our clients to help them lead with presence, courage, and humanity.

How to Choose a Qualified Coach

We recommend asking a few direct questions before engaging with any coach. A skilled, trained, and ethical coach will welcome these—and be proud to answer them.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Coach:

• What certifications do you hold?
  Look for credentials from internationally recognized bodies like the ICF (International Coaching Federation) or CCE (Center for Credentialing & Education).

• Where did you complete your coach training?
  A reputable program includes supervised practice, feedback, and a strong foundation in ethics.

• How long have you been coaching?
  Experience matters—not just in years, but in the depth and diversity of work.

• How many hours of coaching have you done?
  Mastery is built through actual coaching, not just coursework.

• How much supervision or mentoring have you received?
  Ongoing reflection and feedback are essential to ethical, effective practice.

• What models, methods, or modalities do you use?
  A well-trained coach draws from a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to the client—not a one-size-fits-all formula.

• What’s your approach or philosophy?
  This helps you assess whether their style and orientation align with what you need.

Coaching vs. Consulting, Therapy, Mentoring, and Training

These terms often get used interchangeably—but they’re not the same. Here’s how we define the differences:

• Coaching

  Focus: Unlocking a person’s potential

  Assumption: The client is whole, capable, and resourceful

  Approach: Asking powerful questions to help clients find their own answers

• Consulting

  Focus: Solving problems, offering expertise

  Assumption: The consultant has knowledge the client needs

  Approach: Diagnosing, advising, and recommending solutions

• Therapy

  Focus: Healing, emotional well-being

  Assumption: The client may be processing pain, trauma, or mental health challenges

  Approach: Exploring the past and healing with licensed professionals

• Mentoring

  Focus: Sharing wisdom and guidance

  Assumption: The mentor has “been there” and can show the way

  Approach: Offering insight and advice from lived experience.

• Training

  Focus: Building specific skills or knowledge

  Assumption: The facilitator is experienced at training and facilitating adult learning

  Approach: Effective adult learning and development design

Each has its place—and sometimes they overlap—but clarity matters.

Coaching is not therapy. It’s not advice-giving. It’s not mentorship or training. It’s a thought partnership grounded in presence, curiosity, and accountability.

Final Thought

If you're considering working with a coach, we encourage you to get curious. Ask questions. Vet your coach. You deserve a partner who is as committed to your growth as you are.

The right coach can make all the difference. Choose wisely.