The Essence of Coaching

As a coach, I often sense an underlying expectation from clients — that coaching is about receiving advice. However, the most powerful and effective coaching technique is not about giving answers but about asking the right questions. The kind that make you pause, reflect, and see what’s been within you all along. It takes courage to ask those questions.

And even more courage to sit in silence while the other person finds their truth.

Coaching, at its heart, is about creating space for another person to tap into their own wisdom and find their own path. It’s essential that potential clients understand our coaching philosophy, the process we follow, and the role they play in making the experience meaningful and successful.

That’s why it’s essential for clients to understand our philosophy--that you are in the driver’s seat. A good coach doesn’t hand over a map; they help you read your own compass.

When a client walks into a coaching session, they should feel they’re entering a judgment-free zone; a space where they are truly seen, heard, and valued. In simple terms, in coaching, you, the client, are in the driver’s seat.

A few months ago, towards the end of a session, a client said something that stayed with me:

“I feel deeply valued — not because you told me what to do, but because you helped me listen to myself.”

He had been struggling with low self-esteem. His spouse had graduated from an Ivy League university and later earned an MBA from one of the top three business schools in the world.He, on the other hand, was an engineer with an MBA from a reputed B-school in India and despite a high-paying job, he often felt inadequate .

His initial goal was to quit his job and pursue another MBA abroad. But over the course of our sessions, his perspective shifted. He realized he wasn’t chasing growth, he was chasing validation. Once he saw the value in his current work and achievements, the conversation changed. He started focusing on nurturing his family, growing within his organization, and exploring his entrepreneurial side. Every question in that journey was intentional and not intrusive. Each one gently guided him toward what mattered most.

That’s the essence of coaching: questions that open doors rather than corners.

True coaching is not about advice.It’s about awareness, discovery, and growth.

It’s a space to think freely, to connect hidden dots, and to embrace clarity without fear of judgment.It’s a partnership built on trust and respect, a path forward shaped by you, with your coach walking beside you.

As a coach, my role is not to lead your journey.It’s to walk beside you; as you uncover your own path forward, defined by clarity, courage, and purpose.