What do you call people who you coach?

What Do You Call the People You Coach? They’re Coachees – and They’re Active Participants in Their Own Transformation

The world of coaching is brimming with specific terminology, designed to clarify roles and relationships within the process. So, what do you call those individuals who seek guidance and support from a coach? The answer is simple: coachees. But the implications of this term go far beyond a simple label. It speaks to a dynamic, collaborative relationship built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to growth.

While the term “client” might seem interchangeable, it doesn’t fully capture the active role a coachee plays in their own development. A client might passively receive a service, whereas a coachee actively engages in the coaching process. They bring their aspirations, challenges, and commitment to the table, working hand-in-hand with the coach to achieve desired outcomes. This distinction underscores the empowering nature of coaching, placing the coachee firmly in the driver’s seat of their own journey.

The coachee-coach relationship is a partnership. It’s a collaborative dance where the coach provides guidance, support, and tools, while the coachee takes ownership of their growth and implements the strategies discussed. The coach acts as a facilitator, asking powerful questions, offering different perspectives, and challenging limiting beliefs. The coachee, in turn, explores their inner landscape, identifies their strengths and weaknesses, and takes concrete steps toward their goals.

This active participation is crucial for the success of any coaching engagement. Coachees are expected to come prepared to sessions, reflect on their progress, and actively implement the insights gained. They are not passive recipients of advice, but rather active agents of change, committed to their own transformation.

Thinking of those you coach as “coachees” is more than just using the correct terminology. It’s a mindset shift that recognizes and respects the individual’s agency and their crucial role in the coaching process. It reinforces the collaborative nature of the relationship and emphasizes the coachee’s power to shape their own future. So, embrace the term “coachee” and celebrate the active, empowered individuals who are embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth.