The article shows the influence of socio-economic determinants on professional counseling and coaching. It demonstrates how the changes of the economic system enforce changes in the working methods of professional counselors and coaches. Globalization, the economic crisis, the extension of the labor markets on the one hand and the decrease in the number of employment opportunities on the other hand, and the need to make professional choices with every step of development of the professional career cause traditional counseling to evolve more towards job and career coaching. The present-day labor market needs workers that know their professional inclinations, resources, competencies and know how to use them in the benefit of the organization.

The article presents some skills, areas and approaches commonly used by coaches in different coaching models to affect their clients. Selected parts are compared with mechanisms described by social psychology. It is shown how the coaching process has a positive influence on achieving the defined goals and objectives, and how this efficiency can be explained based on psychological mechanisms and concepts.

This is paper explores a post-modern Gestalt approach to coaching which suggests multiple levels of engagement inclusive of physical/sensory, social/cultural, emotional/biological, projective/imagined and spiritual/intuitive levels of influence. The model reviewed here focuses primarily upon the ‘process’ of communication rather than its content, and deals with what is emerging ‘now’ rather than past problems and issues.

The article makes an a empt at deA ning the in uence that subordinates have on their leader. is factor can be pivotal in the process of leader coaching. Recommenda-tion of some practical solutions to leader coaching, with followers of leaders also paid attention to, can give some useful tips not only to the departments of human resources and to active coaches but also to leaders themselves. It could be very beneficial to show reciprocal influence between leaders and their subordinates.

Article juxtaposes two kinds of human activity: habitual and goal-directed behaviors. The author characterizes the nature of these behaviors, and examines their interactions. Habitual actions are subjected to a detailed analysis of their neurobiological mechanisms, significance for human functioning, ways to change and create new habits. Conclusions are presented of the extent to which habits can influence the processand the en effectiveness of coaching.

The author of this article attempted to verify the results of a short type of coaching.
The researches, which she conducted at the University of Łódź, concern an influence of a 3 hours session with a career coach on specifying and achieving goals by the students and graduates of the Faculty of Management. Presented exploration shows advantages and threats of a short coaching session.