Brief History of the Term [Coaching]: From Hungary to the Business World

The Hungarian Origin and Transportation

Contrary to what one might expect, the etymological origins of the term "coaching" are not initially to be found in the sporting or business world, but in 16th century Hungary.

Specifically, in a small northern town called Kocs, an innovative carriage service emerged.

These carriages, known as kocsi szekér (Kocs' carriage), were notable for being faster and more comfortable than existing carriages, capable of carrying several passengers simultaneously and operating according to prearranged schedules.

The Hungarian word kocsi (pronounced "cochi"), referring to this carriage, became the root of the term.

This initial association links the word to the idea of transporting people from one place to another, a metaphor that will resonate in the later evolution of the concept of coaching as a process that takes individuals from their current state to a desired state. The kocsi represented an effective means of facilitating a journey or displacement.

Expansion into Europe and New Contexts

This efficient Hungarian carriage service soon gained popularity and expanded to other parts of Europe. Upon arriving in France, the term was phonetically adapted as coche.

Subsequently, the service and the word were adopted in Great Britain, where it evolved into coach.

Interestingly, in Britain, the activity of driving these cars even became a form of recreational and competitive activity, with speed races between different drivers.

From this association with transportation and driving (both literal and competitive), the term coach gradually began to be used in other contexts.

However, it always maintained a connection, at least metaphorically, with the idea of guiding, directing or transporting someone towards a destination or better performance.

From Academics to Sports

The word coach found new meanings in educational and sports environments.

In English universities, it began to be called coach the professor or tutor in charge of orienting and guiding students in a specific course, helping them to "transport" their knowledge and skills towards academic success.

Later, especially in the United States between the 1950s and 1960s, the term became firmly established in the sports field. A coach became, and still is today, the trainer of a team or athlete.

Over time, the importance of training that transcended the purely physical, incorporating emotional and mental training, was recognized in the sports field.

It was found that a holistic approach to sports training yielded significantly better results in competitions than a purely physical approach.

Leap into the Business World and Diversification Today

Finally, in the 1980s, the term coaching made the leap from sports to the business world.

Organizations began to look for ways to develop competencies in their employees and managers, focusing on excellence, self-improvement and competitiveness, concepts very much present in sports coaching. From this moment on, the expansion of coaching seemed to have no limits.

It ceased to be a methodology exclusive to sports or business and diversified enormously.

Today, there are countless approaches and specializations, such as relational, educational, professional (executive, team), life coaching, and even spiritual coaching, among many others.

This evolution reflects the adaptability of the central concept of accompanying someone in a process of development and achievement of objectives.

Summary

The term "coaching" has its origins in the 16th century in Kocs, Hungary, where an innovative carriage (kocsi szekér) was known to transport people from one place to another quickly. This origin relates metaphorically to the idea of taking someone from their current state to a desired state.

The word was adapted in Europe, becoming a coach in Great Britain. It was then used in English universities for the tutor who guided the student to academic success. It then gained a foothold in the field of sports.

Finally, in the 1980s, it jumped from sports to the business world to develop excellence in employees and managers. Today there is a great diversification of specializations, such as life coaching or executive coaching.