Life Coaching originated as an industry in the United States approximately fifteen years ago (LCI). The Sydney Morning Herald (2000) reported that Personal Coaching was ranked as the second fastest growth industry in the US, after Information Technology. This growth has continued up to the present time although the inital hubris surrounding it has dissipated to a large extent. Coaching is now experiencing the massive growth in Australia that it has in recent years overseas.
For example in the 2002 -2003 period, (The largest non profit coaching association) membership in Australia and New Zealand has tripled and is close to 500 strong. Coles Myer utilizes the services of coaches as do a growing number of other public companies. (The Australian, OCT 31, 2003). The use of coaching by such organisations demonstrates that coaching is gaining a widespread respectability as it produces the results desired by these companies.
Coaching evolved from three main streams that have flowed together:
- The helping professions such as psychotherapy and counseling
- Business Consulting and organizational development
- Personal development training such as EST, Landmark Forum, Tony Robbins and the Covey Seminars. (Williams, P. BBC Radio 4)
Further Reading Link here for an excellent article