Introduction

This chapter explores different approaches to coaching, different forms of practice and different strategies for coach development. It provides three dimensions for coaching amidst complexity. The chapter explains complexity using simple language, and to provide practical insight as to how coaches can develop their practice to become more systemic. It argues that clients, thinking about how to best use coaching in their organisations, will gain new insight into what to look out for in prospective coaches and how to best deploy them. The chapter describes coaching is all about goal setting and action plans. It suggests that becoming a better coach is all about acquiring new skills. A growing demand for group and team coaching suggests that organisations are beginning to recognise the limitations of the individual paradigm for change and the need to focus on group dynamics.