what is dow coaching?
Coaching is one of the most valuable developmental resources that the Department of War (DOW) offers the workforce and has been linked to positive outcomes such as increased employee engagement, resiliency, and retention. A successful coaching engagement promotes and sustains professional growth and competence. Coaching is an experiential development process, which facilitates change and growth in both individuals, teams, and organizations, and ultimately, contributes to a positive impact to the overall DOW mission. Through structured dialogue, our DOW coaches assist their clients to see new perspectives and achieve greater clarity about their own thoughts, emotions and actions, and about the people and situations around them. The client gives power to the relationship, drives the coaching agenda, and is ultimately responsible for the outcome of the coaching engagement. Our DOW coaches apply specific techniques and skills, approaches, and methodologies that enable clients to develop their goals and design actions to achieve them.
What is the difference between coaching and mentoring?
DOW Coaching and DOW Mentoring are two distinct development activities. Our Certified DOW Coaches use a facilitative approach intended to support clients to achieve their goals by questioning to promote awareness and self-directed learning. A coach does not require any knowledge, skills, or experience in the client’s profession; however, a DOW Coach requires a minimum of 60 hours of accredited coach training. In addition, an Army coach needs a minimum of 80 hours of International Coaching Federation accredited training.
On the other hand, our DOW Mentors impart their personal experience, subject matter expertise, learning, and advice to those who have less experience in that field or career path. A mentor usually identifies goals and recommended actions.
For more on the distinction between DOW Coaching and DOW Mentoring, watch this short demo below: DVIDS - Video - Mentoring Vs Coaching Demo (dvidshub.net)

Who benefits from DOW Coaching?
Anyone can benefit from coaching; however, coaching is particularly powerful for those who are going through a transition, either personally or professionally. Some examples include a new position at work, a promotion to a supervisor or manager, a career broadening experience, a leadership development program, an upcoming retirement, deployment overseas, a family move to another location, and any other life transition.
Some examples of coaching topics include:
Goal setting, managing your inner-critic, forming habits and routines, time management, getting team buy-in, becoming more proactive, delegating, self-awareness, accountability, networking, gathering information, boundary setting, communication, feedback, preparing for crucial or difficult conversations, and more.
dow coaching mission:
Empowering all DoW employees to maximize their personal and professional potential through coaching and supporting agencies to develop and foster a culture of coaching.
dow coaching Vision:
To develop a coaching culture that fosters a continuous learning environment for all levels of leadership.
resources
- DoW Coaching Training Program Fact Sheet
- DoW Coaching Trifold - PDF
- DoW Coaching Opportunity - PDF
- DoW Coaching FAQs
- Moodle Resources for Coaches
- Downloadable Guide for Establishing and Maintaining Your Coaching Program
- DoW Coaching Campaign Week 2024
- Coaching vs Therapy (Coming Soon)
- Kirkpatrick Partners Study: The ROI of DoW Coaching.
- WAU Coach Training Program Flyer.
For More Information, please contact
Email:dodhra.mc-alex.dcpas.mbx.dod-coaching@mail.mil
Address:
Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-1100