Crisp Coaching & Consultancy Ltd, 143 Waltwood Park Drive, Llanmartin, Newport, NP18 2HF  Tel: 0870 042 3720    Company Registration Number 05379946

info@ccandc.co.uk     www.ccandc.co.uk

History of Coaching 

‘Of all the personal development and performance improving techniques developed in the last century, coaching is one of the newest, the fastest growing and the most effective. Its popularity stems from its pure simplicity’.

The concepts of personal development and self ­improvement have their roots in psychotherapy and first came to public notice in the 1930s with the initial momentum in America.

Most practices and procedures still reflected the therapist and patient relationship, where the source of a trauma or issue was sought to give an indication of the cure.

The focus for the work was the more negative aspects of the life of the client. This left many people with a general feeling that there must be something even more relevant and effective in personal development.

Instead of focusing on the negative a way was needed to focus on the positive.

Dr Norman Vincent Peale is often considered to be the 'founding father' of positive thinking, and in his book, 'The Power of Positive Thinking', first published in 1952, Peale outlined his motivation. He could see the pain and struggle of human existence. He could see how positive thinking could overcome defeat and enable anyone to achieve worthwhile goals. The importance of ‘mindset’ was demonstrated in his quote:

'You are not what you think you are. But what you think - YOU ARE!'

Peale's book was a breakthrough and taken further by the likes of Dale Carnegie. However, there have been many people before and after Peale suggesting that you need a positive mindset, a clear target and a commitment to action to achieve what you want in life.

Life coaching evolved to accommodate this need, once again, with the momentum starting in America.

The new relationship became a partnership between coach and client, with each equally and totally committed to achieving the client’s own positive desired results and outcomes.

Unlike therapy or counselling, coaching doesn’t focus on the past – it starts from where you are now and helps you get to where you want to be.

These principles were also applied to Sports Coaching and the famous books: ‘The Inner Game of Tennis/Golf’ by W. Timothy Gallwey brought the principles to a wider audience. These same principles were then used in the Business world to great effect and Business and Executive Coaching was born.

Probably the most important recent developments in Coaching came with the introduction of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) methods and practices in the 70’s and 80’s. The NLP attitudes and methods are uniquely suited for promoting and implementing effective coaching. NLP’s focus on ‘Well formed’ outcomes, its foundation in modelling exceptional performers, especially in the field of communication, and it’s ability to produce step-by-step processes to promote excellence makes it one of the most important guides for committed coaches today.

The growth of coaching in the UK has been phenomenal since 1999. This demand has been fired almost totally by word of mouth recommendations from people who have transformed their lives with the help of their coach.

There are now millions of people who have improved their lives and businesses as a result of coaching.

As coaching is based on achieving goals and success, the results that people have achieved with coaching speak for themselves.

Coaching is now the fastest growing personal development tool and second fastest growing industry in the world.

Today, coaching is seen as not only a tool which many of the most successful business people and celebrities use, but an every-day activity for individuals who want to take more control, and get the best out of their lives and their businesses.