The following article originally appeared in Businesswoman Canada Magazine.
If you've heard about coaching, but don't quite understand what it is or how it works, think of it in terms of athletics. In that realm, even a superstar as talented as Tiger Woods has a coach. Now people outside the sports world are beginning to discover that when it comes to something as important as attaining optimum success in business and in the game of life, the rest of us deserve to benefit from a coach, too.
One difference between a personal coach and a sports coach is that it is not necessary for the personal coach to be an expert in the client's field of endeavor. One does not have to be an accountant, for example, in order to coach accountants. In fact, sometimes that specific knowledge is a hindrance because personal coaches are not advice givers. A good coach will never tell the client what to do. Instead she will hold the client as being creative, resourceful, and whole. With this comes the assumption that only the client knows what is right for herself and for her business; she has the best answers to her own questions. The coach is merely the guide.
There is no hierarchy in a coaching relationship; one person is not an expert and one a student. Instead, the coach and client form an alliance based solely on the client's agenda and what she wishes to accomplish. Together they set goals and devise a plan of action for achieving those goals. It is totally a team effort.
The coach provides the tools and the structure to help the client deepen the learning about who she truly is and what she wants. Once the client finds these answers, she inevitably becomes more comfortable in her own skin and her confidence level grows phenomenally. She begins to eliminate all the "shoulds" in her life and she starts to lead her life on her terms. With the help of her coach, she gradually evolves into a magnificent human "being" instead of a human "doing."
Typically people come to coaching because they're in transition; they want to grow their business; or they're seeking more balance in their lives. Some come because they've been so busy being all things to all people that somewhere along the line they've lost themselves in the process. They go around singing the words to that old Peggy Lee tune, "Is that All There Is?" and wonder how they can recapture the passion they once had. Whatever their individual reasons for hiring a coach, all clients have one thing in common: they're stuck. They realize that there is a gap between where they are and where they want to be. They just don't know how to bridge the gap. The coach does. At least a trained coach does.
Yes, indeed, there is training involved, and if you're considering working with a coach, it is crucial that you ask about her background. Most coaches offer a free coaching session, too, to potential clients. Take them up on it so you can get a feel both for how coaching works and for the coach's particular style. You and the coach will both know at the end of the session if you're a good match.
There are a number of different specialties within the coaching profession: Business, Lifestyle, Spiritual, Youth, etc, and even sub-specialties within those. Regardless of her specialty, though, a skilled coach will address all of the client's life. We are, you see, multi-faceted, three-dimensional beings. We are not just entrepreneurs, realtors, graphic designers, or dentists. We are also wives, mothers, children, employees, neighbors, friends, and clients, too. All of this comes into play as we lead and design our lives, and it is important for the coach to know all of the client if she is to help her. If we do not examine every aspect of our lives, we can easily be shortchanged of the balance, fulfillment, and happiness we deserve. It then becomes easy for us to wind up like the hamster that goes around and around on the treadmill and gets nowhere.
Interestingly, the vast majority of coaches are "telecoaches" who "meet" with their clients on the phone several times a month. What many people new to coaching don't understand, though, is that most of the coaching takes place between the coaching calls! This is where the big, giant "a-ha's" happen.
Because most coaches work on the phone, if you're thinking about having a coach in your life, you might want to consider looking beyond your own backyard. It is far more important to choose the coach over the city. Most coaches work with clients in many different towns, cities, and even countries. With a good long distance carrier, you can have a coach who is the perfect match with your needs.
Having a coach in your life can take you from the ordinary to the extraordinary. I know, because like most coaches, I have a coach, myself. It has made all the difference in the world for me. It can for you, too.
© Copyright Leni Chauvin
Leni Chauvin is the creator of the popular "Attract Clients Galore™" Program for self-employed professionals who have everything it takes to succeed in business except enough clients. She is a Certified Professional Coach and business building strategist who has been helping entrepreneurs attract more clients, make more money, and have more fun since 1993. To learn more and to subscribe to Leni's Networking Gazette Newsletter visit http://www.superstarnetworking.com.
