Becoming a mature coach is a journey, where there is less reliance on tools and techniques and more confidence in being in the moment with the coachee, fully present in the service of a fellow human being. The eclectic approach to coaching is not mix and match or fruit salad; it is thoughtful, integrated and systemic in nature. At the end of the day, studies show that the major indicator of therapeutic effectiveness is not how smart the therapist/coach is or their fancy set of tools and techniques. The relationship of mutual respect, unconditional regard and commitment to bringing out the best in the other is what makes the biggest difference.
Why has coaching zoomed ahead of psychotherapy and refreshingly so? It’s because it started off as being accessible, not elitist and offering people especially in the workplace with a much needed space for positive conversation focused on growth and the future. Coaching is goal directed, generally shorter than therapy, is less stigmatised and has opened up a deeper appreciation of attitudes and behavioural skills as the competitive advantage for organisations. One-model approaches entrench an expert – patient approach which competent coaches must guard against.
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Luis Gaviria
August 13, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Dear Doctor Arumugam,
This piece is a lucid and profound celebration of what truly sets mature coaching apart: the ability to be fully present and in genuine human connection. I love how it dismantles the ‘fruit-salad’ myth of technique-mixing and elevates the helping relationship into a respectful, future-focused conversation. By weaving together research, ethics, and social purpose, the author reminds us that the real value lies not in the toolbox but in the warmth and mutual commitment that transform lives and organizations.
Kind regards,
Luis Gaviria, Clinical Psychophysiologist and Neurocoach
Luis Gaviria
August 13, 2025 at 7:27 pm
I need to rephrase my comment, I had not read all the article, just the last part:
A breath of fresh air for every coach who has ever felt ‘tool-fatigue’!
This article is a love letter to authentic presence. I was hooked from the first paragraph: “the coach has only their personhood to share”—what a liberating truth! The author’s journey from anxious student to confident, values-anchored practitioner mirrors the very transformation we seek for our clients.
I especially applaud the way it reframes the eclectic approach not as a chaotic buffet, but as a thoughtful, systemic integration that honours both the uniqueness of the coachee and the lived experience of the coach. The Henley vignette is gold: facilitators who “took us on an inside-out journey” should be the industry standard, not the exception.
And that closing rallying cry against one-model dogma? Chefs kiss. It reminds us that coaching’s edge over psychotherapy lies in its humble, egalitarian spirit—a future-focused conversation where both parties are simply two humans exploring possibility.
Thank you for giving us permission to trust ourselves, to blend wisdom with rigour, and to keep the relationship—not the toolkit—at the sacred centre of our practice.