Best Practices in Coaching

In the 21st Century, the practice of coaching has emerged as an actionable way for adults to learn. Coaching is a social enterprise where, through a process of inquiry, discovery, reflection and application, coaches help coachees to achieve their personal and professional goals. In her mixed-method study, Lubin presents coaching as a reflection of andragogythe philosophy of adult learning. Through surveying and interviewing business and life coaches, Lubin identifies which principles and processes of andragogy inform their coaching practices. To globalize the impact of her study, Lubin conceptualizes learning by UNESCOs five pillars of learning to know, do, live together, be, and learning to transform oneself and society. Drawing upon the collective wisdom of coaches who use andragogy in their practices, Lubin identifies 88 best practices for engaging adult learning in coaching. From a learning perspective, coaches can deepen their understanding of how embracing the principles and processes of andragogy can positively impact their coachees development. Likewise, coaches can refine their own knowledge and skills of adult learning to enhance their coaching practice.

Melissa Maybury Lubin, PhD, is a faculty member and administrator at Virginia Tech. She is the principal owner and founder of Human Harmonics, a professional coaching practice specializing in leadership and talent development. Lubin has a doctorate in adult learning and human resource development, an MBA and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach.