The practice of coaching, as one of the methods of developing human potential, is characterized with a great deal of variety or even arbitrariness. This is why every precise definition of coaching is always incomplete, because it does not (and even should not) take into consideration all the facets of the coaching practice, as well as highly specialized, because it describes in detail only one aspect (or some aspects) of the coaching practice and distinguishes it (them) from others. However, the incompleteness and specialization of any precise definition of coaching is not a flaw, but a virtue. It enables to see coaching not from a descriptive viewpoint, which tries to describe common features of all the approaches to coaching, including the ones that are based on mistaken premises, but from a normative viewpoint, which proposes theoretically sound, verified in practice and therefore popularize-worthy approaches to coaching. One of these approaches is an evidence-based approach, which is a basis for the dynamic development of all professions that involve helping other people, including psychologists, psychotherapists and coaches. The article describes interpersonal skills coaching as an example of the evidence-based approach to the coaching practice.

Me first part of this paper presents the essence of coaching and defines the coaching position among other available methods of human development. Moreover, the role and place of implementing executive coaching in learning organizations will be discussed. Thus, the main idea of this article is to generate aprofound picture of the coaching process that was used in a wider context and as apart of the internal development program for Top Managers in Deloitte in Poland – the “Pursuit of Excellence” Program. Furthermore, it was researched how the coaching process infuences the development of top talented employees. Based on the conducted research studies it was verified that coaching is an effective method for talent development.

The article is about the important and widely discussed issue of the financial evaluation of the effciency of coaching, mentoring and trainings. Me authors question how human development projects should be treated in accounting: more as operational costs or long term investments. Mey explain when projects are pro&table and how to measure the profitability of such projects. Me article presents the main assump-tions and methods of the financial evaluation of coaching, mentoring and training eficiency. Me authors present the Kirkpatrick ’s Model and Philips’ Model. Finally the authors present the results of an evaluation study that they conducted in Polish conditions using the mentioned methods.

Me article encourages mak ing use of the scienti&c k nowledge from developmental psycholog y. It replies to the thesis that coaching needs areliable theor y based on scientific research for achiev ing higher professionalism. A s there is such athing as coaching psycholog y, its scientific basis can easily be adult developmental psychology. It is based on the concept of the human life track. Me end of development is not (as it cannot be) childhood or adolescence. According to the human life track concept humans also develop throughout their adult life. Mere are indicatorsof this development, conditions for supporting it and even developmental task per-formance, which lets one achieve wellbeing, or even personal and professional happiness.

The article presents how competence management in organization contributes to the effective functioning of the modern enterprise. Coaching with its multiplicity and complexity used as a tool for human resources development can bring many benefits into competency management. According to the author it is possible to find convergence in certain areas that coaching and competence management are described in the article.