What is a coach exactly?

The key differences between a coach, a counsellor, a mentor and a therapist.

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If you’re looking for someone to give you all the answers, then a coach is not for you. As a coach, I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m also not here to unpack your past experiences. My purpose is to help you figure out what you really want then guide you towards achieving it. Instead of teaching, I help you learn and find your own emotional truths.

One of my favourite quotes about coaching is by Sir John Whitmore who defined it as, “Unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance.” Instead of imparting information, coaches ask questions that raise your self-awareness and help you develop your own blueprint for success and the habits to live it.

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How does coaching differ from other specialities?

The easiest way to understand coaching is to look at other specialities in a similar space. Too often the lines are blurred. With not a lot of regulation you need discernment and to do due diligence.

• Mentoring – A relationship whereby someone with more seniority and expertise shares their guidance with a more junior mentee. This is normally a long-term relationship that focusses on holistic career development rather that specific results. Meetings with a mentor tend to be informal with the mentee asking most of the questions.
• Counselling– By focusing on the past and the present, counsellors create a safe space to explore the underlying issues that impact individuals and their relationships. Counsellors work with their clients over the short or the long term to heal wounds from the past and improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Therapy – Similar to counselling, therapy focusses on past traumas and issues that lead to negative beliefs and behaviours. The intention is to relieve a disorder or resolve past issues to create a happier future. Therapy is a long-term process that looks at the ‘why’ rather than the ‘how’.
• Consulting – Consulting involves understanding a problem and presenting solutions. Unlike with coaching, a consultant is someone who gives you the answers based on their professional expertise. With coaching, you are guided towards finding the answers yourself.
• Coaching – Instead of analysing the past, coaching focusses on the present and the future. Using a structured framework, coaches ask questions that increase self-awareness with the aim of achieving specific and measurable results. Coaching can be short term or long term. It helps clarify your personal and professional goals and creates an environment of accountability to ensure you achieve them.

My evidence-based coaching framework looks at who you are and what you want out of life. After an initial assessment and ‘alignment check’ we clarify the steps you need to take to create a life that aligns with your passion and your purpose. Instead of telling you what to do, I create an environment of safety and trust where you feel free to explore the answers under my guidance. My clients design a life exactly how they want it, then make it happen. The transformations are astounding.

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The (many) benefits of coaching

1. It makes you think. We’re so busy with our day-to-day lives that sometimes we forget to take stock and see our potential for growth. Coaching makes you think about who you are, what you want and how you’re going to get it.
2. It energises you. Life is way too short to dread the day ahead. When you have clarity about your purpose, your energy levels will improve and you’ll bound out of bed, no caffeine required. Imagine being more excited to be alive every single day.
3. It improves productivity. A report by Public Personnel Management found that when training is combined with coaching, individuals increased their productivity by an average of 88% compared to 22% with training alone.
4. It puts you in a position of power. As your coach, I don’t solve your problems, I help you generate answers. You are in the driver’s seat. You own your solutions. You own your emotional truths.
5. It silences your inner critic. When you’re thinking negatively, you’re competing against yourself. Coaching taps into your inner critic and stops it from dragging you down.
6. The process is transformational and fun. A great coach will create an uplifting environment and you’ll finish your session with clarity and often a fresh perspective. If you speak to any of my coaching clients, they’ll tell you that I love to see your growth, and more than anything, your breakthrough. We find the message in the mess.
   

I love everything about being a coach for hard-working women. I get to learn about you, unleash and empower you. Remember, everything we seek is already inside of us. I also get to help you learn about yourself, your habits and your choices and how they are serving you. As a result, when you do the inner work, your fulfilment and performance improves along with your health and the quality of your relationships.

One word of advice before I sign off – do your due diligence when selecting a coach because results and certification combined with experience makes all the difference. I completed Brendon Burchard’s high performance coaching certification and have completed hundreds of hours of one-on-one coaching using this framework. My coaching experience along with my success as an entrepreneur and senior leader within organisations gives me a massive edge plus credibility in an industry that is concerningly unregulated. I am also big on trust and guarantee confidentiality for all my valued clients.

Coaching can dramatically decrease the time it takes to get where you want to be. If you’re ready to jump in with both feet, let’s connect. I’d love to help you discover your strength and empower your mission and growth, while creating life exactly how you want it.