At it’s core, coaching equips people to move from where they are toward the greater competence and fulfillment they desire. It is the art and practice of enabling individuals and groups to move from where they are to where they want to be. It is proactive looking ahead. A coaching relationship is a partnership between two equals, not student to teacher, client to counselor, mentee to mentor. A coaching relationship is a safe, confidential environment that supports change, self awareness, where the agenda is set by to the client. Coaches help their clients make focused action toward their goals. This involves clarifying goals, developing a workable plan, and giving encouragement and sometimes guidance as the client assumes responsibility for taking action. The International Coaching Federation is the world-wide association that sets standards of ethics, and defines the key elements of a professional coaching encounter. The ICF recognizes three levels of professional competence: Associate, Professional and Master level certifications. Facilitators and coaches associated with Business Builders Round Table recognize and adhere to all ICF ethical and professional criteria. For additional information and descriptions of coaching see the following articles. When used in the work place, effective coaching can have a significant effect on the success of the enterprise. Organizations, like individuals, are faced with the constant need for change as the business environment shifts about them. Coaches can serve as facilitators for work groups and well as serving individual clients within the organization. Patrick Lencioni, in his book The Advantage, states organization health trumps everything else in business. That requires an enormous amount of cooperation, group decision making, hiring the right talent, clear vision and execution. These traits are difficult to find in organizations made up of humans. Here, effective coaching can make a significant difference.   Goal of Business Builders Round Table is to provide organizations and the people who work within them the right kind of training, support and facilitation. Our focus is on small business, the primary driver of the American economy.