Coaching is about partnership and empowerment

Over the last 15 years, coaching has become a household name. Prior to that time, we associated coaching only with sports. Much like a personal trainer, coaching is a partnership whereby the coach supports the client in meeting specific goals the client has established or the client and coach designed together.

The most exciting part of coaching is the empowerment the client gains through new perspectives, new insights into their own ways of being in the world, and new tools they learn and can use in the future.

Some clients who hire a coach want someone to hold them accountable so they reach an end goal they’ve been unable to reach on their own. For instance, a woman has had an idea for a writing a book for almost 10 years but has only a sketch of an outline on paper so far. As a coach, I won’t be the ‘bad guy’ cracking the whip to hold her accountable. I will, however, work with this client to look at what is blocking her from prioritizing this project and writing the book. Together we also come up with ways for her to succeed for the duration of the project and in other areas of her life. In addition, we set milestones which lead to the completion of the project.

During the coaching process, we address any obstacles that come up in the client’s life. The coaching ends up being about a lot more than the initial goal, and the results typically reach far beyond the client’s original hope.