What is a Coach?

Published

November 3, 2014

I’m a software org/team/individual coach. What the heck does that mean?

On a closed mailing list, Geepaw asked for our definitions of a software team “coach,” and several offered opinions. 

This one is entirely mine. 

On reading my definition, John Kern interpreted it to mean “individuals” whereas I intended these to apply to teams and organizations as well. I thank him for bringing up the possible misinterpretation, and I leave it up to my readers to understand I mean it in a plural sense; organizations and teams have skills and habits and mindsets just as individuals do.

Without further ado:

A coach is someone whose:
  1. work is with people
  • primary product is an improvement in their abilities 
  • secondary product is an improvement in the way they interact with teammates and peers.
  • teaching comes through interaction, not mere lecture or advice (that would be a counselor)
  • work is done at the request and permission of the coach’s client

    I would also note that when we refer to “abilities” above, it is in the same sense that JB Rainsburger mentions, that of increasing capabilities and removing impediments.