Professional Coaching Glossary: The Complete Guide for Coaches and Organisations

The coaching industry is rapidly expanding, and with that growth comes an entire vocabulary that many people find confusing. Whether you are working with a coach, designing a coaching program for your organisation or studying to become a certified coach, understanding the terminology is essential.

This fully updated coaching glossary explains the most important terms in a way that is clear, useful for search engines, and easy for voice assistants to read aloud. You will learn the definitions of coaching types, coaching roles, coaching models, coaching skills, ethics and the most common coaching outcomes.

Use this glossary to navigate the coaching world with confidence.

1. Core Coaching Types

1.1 Professional Coaching

A structured partnership that helps clients improve performance, development, clarity, and personal growth within a professional environment.

1.2 Executive Coaching

Coaching for senior leaders who want to strengthen strategy, communication, executive presence and organisational impact.

1.3 Leadership Coaching

Focused on enhancing leadership style, influence, emotional intelligence, decision making and the ability to lead individuals or teams.

1.4 Career Coaching

Helps clients with career transitions, job search strategies, interview preparation, promotions and long term career planning.

1.5 Performance Coaching

Designed to improve productivity, efficiency, performance habits and achievement of specific measurable goals.

1.6 Life Coaching

Supports personal growth, mindset, wellbeing, relationships, balance and building a more meaningful life.

1.7 Business Coaching

For business owners or entrepreneurs. Covers scaling strategies, business systems, team structures and growth planning.

1.8 Team Coaching

Coaching that improves collaboration, communication, trust, decision making and collective results within a team.

1.9 Group Coaching

Coaching delivered to multiple individuals who work on shared or similar goals. Often used in corporate training, peer learning or support groups.

1.10 Mentor Coaching

Coaching specifically for coaches. Helps improve coaching competency, confidence and alignment with professional standards.

2. Roles, Agreements and Coaching Structure

2.1 Coach

A trained professional who guides reflection, insight, action and accountability using questioning and frameworks.

2.2 Coachee or Client

The individual or team receiving coaching. Responsible for setting goals, taking action and engaging in the process.

2.3 Coaching Engagement

The overall coaching relationship with defined goals, timeline, structure and outcomes.

2.4 Coaching Agreement or Contract

A formal agreement detailing expectations, confidentiality, responsibilities, pricing, frequency and boundaries.

2.5 Coaching Session

A single coaching meeting focused on goals, reflection, progress and action planning.

2.6 Coaching Program

A structured series of coaching sessions designed to achieve longer term results.

2.7 Intake Session or Discovery Call

An initial conversation that clarifies goals, evaluates fit, discusses expectations and establishes rapport.

2.8 Confidentiality in Coaching

A foundational principle that ensures all client information remains private and protected.

2.9 Coaching Outcomes

The measurable or intangible results achieved through coaching such as improved leadership, mindset, skills or performance.

2.10 Accountability Partner in Coaching

A person or structure that helps ensure the client follows through on commitments and action steps.

3. Popular Coaching Models, Tools and Methods

3.1 GROW Model

A coaching framework based on Goal, Reality, Options and Will that helps clients move from vision to action.

3.2 SMART Goals

A structure for setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound.

3.3 Wheel of Life

A visual tool used to assess balance across key life or work areas.

3.4 Strengths Based Coaching

Focuses on identifying and amplifying strengths rather than fixing weaknesses.

3.5 Solution Focused Coaching

A future oriented approach that emphasizes solutions instead of problems.

3.6 Cognitive Behavioral Coaching

Uses principles from cognitive behavioral psychology to shift thinking patterns and behaviours.

3.7 Transformational Coaching

Helps clients create deep mindset changes, identity shifts and long term personal growth.

3.8 Systems Coaching

Explores how individuals operate within larger systems such as teams, families or organisations.

3.9 Reflective Questioning

A technique using open questions that promote awareness and deeper thinking.

3.10 Powerful Questions

High impact questions used by coaches to challenge assumptions and unlock insight.

4. Key Coaching Skills and Focus Areas

4.1 Active Listening

Listening with deep focus, empathy and curiosity to understand meaning beyond the client’s words.

4.2 Coach Presence

The ability to stay calm, observant, engaged and fully present during sessions.

4.3 Emotional Intelligence in Coaching

Awareness and regulation of emotions to build trust, empathy and effective communication.

4.4 Mindset Shift

Supporting clients to change limiting thoughts and adopt a growth mindset.

4.5 Limiting Beliefs

Internal beliefs that limit performance or confidence and often need reframing.

4.6 Values Clarification

Identifying core personal values to guide decisions and priorities.

4.7 Coaching Feedback

Constructive, objective feedback that helps clients see blind spots and take aligned action.

4.8 Accountability Structures

Systems or processes that keep clients committed to progress and action.

4.9 Action Planning

Creating detailed steps that move the client from intention to measurable outcomes.

4.10 Reflection and Insight

Encouraging clients to think deeply, connect patterns and learn from experience.

5. Professional Standards and Ethics

5.1 International Coaching Federation (ICF)

A global organisation that defines coaching standards, ethics and competencies for accredited coaches.

5.2 EMCC

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council which provides accreditation and ethical guidelines.

5.3 Coaching Competencies

A set of professional skills and behaviours that all effective coaches must demonstrate.

5.4 Coaching Ethics

Guidelines that ensure integrity, confidentiality, professionalism and respect within coaching relationships.

5.5 Coaching Supervision

A reflective process where coaches receive professional oversight to maintain quality and ethical practice.

5.6 Continuing Professional Development

Ongoing learning required to maintain coaching standards and accreditation.

6. Common Coaching Outcomes and Contexts

6.1 Goal Setting in Coaching

Establishing focused and actionable goals that guide the coaching process.

6.2 Career Transition Coaching

Supporting clients during promotions, job changes or shifts in professional direction.

6.3 Work Life Balance Coaching

Helping clients manage personal wellbeing and work responsibilities more effectively.

6.4 Burnout Prevention Coaching

Guiding clients to build resilience, reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Conclusion

This coaching glossary offers a clear and complete reference guide to the most important terms, tools, skills and concepts in professional coaching. Whether you are exploring coaching for the first time, integrating coaching into your organisation or looking to deepen your professional practice, these definitions give you the clarity needed to communicate confidently and make informed decisions.

A strong understanding of coaching language builds trust, supports better outcomes and elevates the quality of any coaching engagement.