Coaching is a process where a coach guides and supports an individual (the "coachee") to achieve specific personal or professional goals. It's about empowering the coachee to identify their own solutions and strategies, fostering growth, and enhancing self-awareness. 

Key aspects of coaching:

• Goal-oriented: Coaching focuses on achieving specific, measurable, and attainable goals. 
• Empowering: The coach empowers the coachee to take ownership of their growth and decision-making. 
• Developmental: Coaching is a continuous process of learning and improvement. 
• Partnership: It's a collaborative relationship between the coach and the coachee. 
• Focus on strengths: Coaching emphasizes identifying and building upon the coachee's strengths. 
• Not remedial, but generative: Coaching is about unlocking potential and fostering new capabilities, not just fixing problems. 

How it differs from other approaches:

• Mentoring:
• Mentoring is more about long-term guidance and overall development, while coaching focuses on specific goals and tasks. 
• Consulting:
• Consulting provides expert advice and solutions, while coaching empowers the client to find their own solutions. 
• Teaching:
• Coaching is about facilitating learning and self-discovery, not just imparting knowledge.