Is Coaching a Science or an Art?

In this keynote speech, Dr Ben wants to bridge the gap and explore and value of science in the coaching process. As a thought leader in transformative coaching, he sees coaching conversation as an artwork where coaches master their craft to inquire powerfully to evoke greater awareness, clarity and understanding.

It is often theorized that there is a conflict between science and coaching, where coaching is postulated as an art. Henceforth, whether coaching is a science or art is fraught because it suggests that science and art are diametrically opposites. This tendency to dichotomize is stubbornly pervasive in human thought. Neither does accepting coaching as both science and art help clarify how the coaching process is a change process.

The term science can also refer to scientific thinking, where we use the principles of evidence, logic, and reason to explain and understand things around us. Carl Sagan put it well when he said, " science is a way of thinking much more than a body of knowledge. "While it is true that there are many "soft skills" involved in coaching, good practice must include an evidence base and the use of scientific thinking.

In this 90 mins presentation, Dr Ben will speak on the following aspects:

① The concept of change is at the heart of coaching: How the theory of transformative learning bridges the science to the art of coaching

② What are the essential components in the coaching process to create lasting impact beyond the coaching session

③ The future of coaching as a profession: What lies ahead for the continuing professional development of aspiring coaches