Human resource development is an important factor for improving organizations. Universities as educational organizations need high-quality human resources. In this sense, coaching can be introduced as a new approach for professional development in higher education. Faculty members of universities can act as coaches to help the students and colleagues develop and thrive. Coaches with high levels of skills can be very influential. Not all individuals in higher education capacities have the

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... ry skills to become coaches. Hence, coaching skills should be specified so as to select high-quality leaders. The aim of the present study was to identify and validate coaching skills at universities. The population of the study consisted of students of a medical sciences university in Isfahan and the University of Isfahan. Research methods were both qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative part, participants who were experts in human resource development and education were chosen. For the quantitative assessment, participants were selected among faculty members at both universities. Results indicated that being a successful coach requires at least eight specific skills. These eight skills should serve as the basis for selecting coaches in higher education.