I get calls all the time from people thinking about becoming either a life or business coach. It’s rewarding, life-changing work. What could be better than helping people be their best selves? Like any profession, it must suit a person’s personality. Here is some straight talk about what to consider before becoming a coach.
The Worst Thing About Being a Coach is…
“The risk of isolation. Working 90 percent on the telephone in my home office can be lonely. I love the freedom to take a walk during the day and dress comfortably but I miss the water-cooler conversation.”
Katharine Halpin
CEO & Executive Coach
Phoenix, AZ 85012
HalpinCompany.com
“The worst thing about being a coach is that the more attached you are to any kind of outcome – even (and sometimes especially) if you want to help your client, the less effective you’ll be. And you have to be totally, 100 percent present without any preoccupation with ANYTHING to be any good at all.”
Diane Bolden
Leadership Coach
Phoenix, AZ 85018
www.DianeBolden.com
“This is hard to answer, but I would have to say that it is having a client who you really feel you can make a difference with, yet he or she is not ready to take the journey with you. They might believe they are ready or they have been given the opportunity to be coached, but they are really not open to exploring or shifting. It is sometimes hard to sit by and watch bad things happen to or for your client when they have the potential within for something entirely different.”
Patti Cain-Stanley
Leadership and Business Coach
Orange County, CA92626
Cain-Stanley.com
“There really isn’t anything that I don’t like because I’m not attached to any outcomes or preferences.”
Connie Kadansky
Sales Call Reluctance Coach
Phoenix, AZ 85021
ExceptionalSales.com
“Even though I know that each individual is on their own unique journey, I feel inclined to jump in when I see anyone “settle” for an existence that doesn’t bring them more joy than frustration and pain. When I hear someone lament that they have no choice, I want to shout, “Stop it. There are choices that you can make that will stop your own personal insanity. Do not settle!”
And so, the two worse things about being a coach are holding back and not jumping in when I am not invited and not rushing someone along on their journey when they are not ready. But, boy, I sure do wish that everyone had a coach so they, too, could enjoy life.”
Jo Anne Musolf
Life & Business Transitions Consultive Coach
Phoenix, AZ 85020
www.TheMusolfGroup.com
“It’s difficult not to care too much about a client’s success. Most of my clients (about 99 percent of them) do more than what is necessary to achieve their goals. The other one percent sometimes leaves me questioning if I really want to do this and what I can do to help them to care as much about themselves as I care about them.”
Joan Gustafson
Executive & Leadership Coach
Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
LeaderDynamics.com
“I agree with Katherine Halpin, the worst thing for me is what I call isolation disease, which I can become easily afflicted if I’m not careful.”
Vickie Champion
Entrepreneur Coach & Life Coach
Costa Mesa, Ca & Gilbert, AZ
I can’t think of anything I would rather do. I am excited to wake up everyday to immerse myself in my coaching business. But people considering the profession should close their eyes and really “see” themselves in the role of a coach. What do they do day in day out? What do they like about the job? Is the flexible hours? The chance to work from home? The desire to help people? When you open your eyes, be honest with yourself about the possible flip side to those positives – erratic hours, constantly listening to people’s problems, less face to face interaction, or even the hassle of finding clients.
For more information on coaching for a career, contact Vickie Champion. I would be happy to share what I know with you.