Unless you have experienced the magic of being coached, you probably don’t know what it is, and you are definitely missing out on a tool which could transform your professional and personal life.  

Most of my friends don’t know what coaching is about, they say “You’ll be great at coaching, telling people what they should do.”  

I have to explain what coaching actually is, and that it shouldn’t be confused with consultancy, mentoring or business support. Coaching improves, empowers and supports people to bring out the best in themselves and their teams. 

Here is a short article on what coaching really is and how we can all benefit from having a coach, whether that be for leadership roles, life, business, or our own performance.   

The aim of all coaching is to support individuals in reaching their future goals and maximizing their true potential in different areas of their lives.   

Leadership and executive coaching: Works on developing the leadership skills and abilities of individuals in various roles such as Directors, Executives, Managers, Team Leaders and people moving into new leadership positions. It works to support leaders enhance their decision-making skills, communication abilities, emotional intelligence and other qualities necessary for effective leadership. 

Coaching can help leaders perform better, achieve more, prevent burnout, help them stay focused so they can continue to enjoy their job and support their teams.  

Life coaching: Is a more personal type of coaching that assists individuals in clarifying their goals, overcoming obstacles, and creating action plans to achieve their desired outcomes in personal and professional life. Life coaches help people explore their strengths, passions, priorities to guide them in making positive changes and living more fulfilling lives.  

Performance coaching: Focused on enhancing an individual’s performance in a specific area, such as career, academic or creative pursuit. Performance coaches help people set clear objectives, identify areas for improvement, develop strategies for their personal development, manage performance related challenges, support motivation and focus to achieve a persons desired results. 

“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.” Sir John Whitmore. (Pioneer of executive coaching)   

Here is a link to a short video I found on What Executive Coaching is all about.   

Here are a few other benefits of having your own Coach and what you can get from working with a professionally qualified coach:  

• Gain clarity about your own values, strengths, aspirations and goals, allowing you to articulate what you may genuinely want in life or career.  

• Coaches provide accountability and support to help you stay committed to your agreed goals, overcome procrastination, and take consistent action towards achieving them.  

• Coaches offer objective and supportive feedback, insights, alternative perspectives, helping you identify any possible blind spots, challenge any limiting beliefs and help explore new options or possibilities.  

• Coaches empower you to take ownership of your life, make informed decisions and build self-confidence in your ability to overcome challenges and achieve goals.  

• Coaches support you in exploring personal growth opportunities, improving relationships, managing stress, enhancing resilience and developing your overall well-being.  

Having a coach can be extremely beneficial for anyone seeking personal or professional growth and development. Looking to improve your life and mindset. Coaching provides valuable support, guidance and accountability.   

I hope this article helps build awareness around what coaching is, does and can do for people’s lives. 

Here is a link I found to Why Everyone Needs a Coach – Inspiring TED Talk