The Coachee: Protagonist of the Process of Change

Definition and Central Role of the Coachee

Within the process of innovation and improvement that constitutes coaching, the central figure is the coachee.

It is the person who actively seeks to achieve specific objectives and, therefore, is the undisputed protagonist of the change process.

As much as the coach guides and facilitates, the effectiveness of coaching depends fundamentally on the commitment and action of the client.

It is the coachee who must feel that he chooses his situation and his state, thus recognizing his capacity to alter the circumstances he does not like. This protagonism is essential for the change to be authentic and sustainable.

Fundamental Requirements: Mental Health and Self-will

It is crucial to understand that coaching is not therapy. Therefore, the coachee is expected to be a mentally healthy person.

If deep psychological problems are detected, the coach should refer the client to an appropriate professional. Furthermore, the coachee should enter the process of his or her own free will.

Coaching should not be imposed; the decision to embark on this path should come from the individual him/herself when he/she discovers areas of his/her life in which there are imbalances and feels the need for improvement.

Any person, even those who already have the tools for success, may experience moments of difficulty that slow them down and may need help to overcome the situation.

Coachee's Expected Disposition

To receive the best benefit from coaching, the coachee is expected to show certain dispositions:

Be open to dialogue and self-reflection, willing to question one's own behavioral system.

Be willing to unlearn or deautomatize ingrained behaviors, even if this is often the most complicated step.

Adopt an attitude towards change that allows you to take ownership of your own destiny.

This attitude modeling is key for the coachee to be prepared to elaborate his own concept of success.

Coaching as a Facilitator of Coachee's Success

The coaching process, guided by the coach, will help the coachee to achieve success by providing him/her with the necessary resources to:

• Adapt to change efficiently and effectively.
• Mobilize their core values and commitments as a human being.
• Renew their relationships and make communication effective in their human systems.
• Stimulate you towards the production of unprecedented results, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Unleash his potentiality, allowing him to achieve goals that he would otherwise consider unattainable.

Types of Coachee and the Need for Clear Objectives

The coachee is not always a single person. The process can be directed at an individual, a work team or a group with common interests.

In all cases, the entity receiving the coaching (whether individual, team or group) must