“Everyone is a coach nowadays”. It’s a statement that automatically made me feel like I had to leap to the defensive of my sector. But, after a moment of calm, I realised this is the issue with the industry I work in. The term itself has saturated the market place. There is a lot of misunderstanding about coaching; once upon a time it was something sports people do, and Senior VERY IMPORTANT BUSINESS PEOPLE had. Now everyone is one and everyone should (in my opinion have one! So today, I’m going to separate the fact from fiction about coaching.
1. A coach will just tell me what to do.
Nope, in the purest sense, a Coach is not there to give opinion or judgement; we are there to ask the right questions to draw what you already know; as well as challenge your beliefs and provide you with tools. What you do with all of that is up to you!
In my work, I move across mentoring, coaching and consultancy, dependent on what you want the outcome to be.
2. A coach only fixes stuff
Whilst part of the work is to look at what is holding you back – mindset and beliefs – we also work wonders for helping people improve and develop. You may know what you are good at, and want to improve, but want to get there quicker than doing it on your own.
3. A coach is too expensive
Granted, a coach is an investment, and the financial levels vary; but the return is more than a number and figures.
I have a coach (I am VERY suspicious of any Coach that isn’t investing in their own development); why? Because I can’t get past my own bull and hold myself 100% accountable. It is hard to see the woods from the trees sometimes; a coach can help.
4. Coaches are only for people who are in business
DONG. Wrong again. Yes, some coaches specialise in working with businesses, but the principle of coaching is about individual improvement. Don’t think that you have to “sell stuff” to need a coach.
5. A coach can help me with my mental health
Whilst there are mental well-ness benefits from coaching (reduced stress, improved confidence and clarity) a Coach is not a qualified counsellor. Any coach should have a chat with you to find out what you are looking for; make sure you are honest about what you need, and they responded with the relevant support networks.
6. I must know exactly what my goals are
There is no doubt that having your goals firmly in mind before you work with a coach can speed up your progress; however, the support from a coach will help you uncover if those goals are achievable and create the actions to make it happen. To paraphrase a well-known phrase “a goal without an action plan are just dreams. “
So, there are the six most common misconceptions I have come across about coaching. Hopefully, that will rest your mind. If you want to join a group that loves a solid coaching conversation, join The Balance Collective with Clara Wilcox
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
