There is a lot being said about coaching lately with its rising popularity.
The term “coaching” is being used broadly and loosely, and this has brought in many different definitions and ideas, not all of which are an accurate representation of the coaching profession and industry. Thus, in addition to some genuine information, few myths about coaching have also arisen.
Here are 5 of the common misconceptions and myths about coaching.
- Myth #1
Coaching is only for people who can’t succeed on their own.
Many high-performers including C-level executives have coaches. Clearly, these people are already successful, yet they engage in coaching.
Coaching is for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their life – personal and/or professional – and finds the necessary discipline and commitment to do so.
- Myth #2
Life coaches can only help you reach personal goals
People are whole, and goals to meet or issues to resolve are never neatly isolated. Very often there is an overlap between our personal and professional lives. A change in one area ripples through various aspects of our lives. A good coach is someone equipped with the necessary skills and who can help others create positive change and reach their desired goals regardless of the type of goal.
- Myth #3
Having a coach is the same as ranting to a friend
This is a rather common myth. However, coaching is not the same as ranting to a friend or having an emotional dumping ground at the end of which you walk away with temporary relief. Yes, speaking about emotions is a big part of coaching but there is a huge difference in the approach and level of accountability.
With a coach, not only do you have a space to express your feelings freely, you also gain perspective, understand your emotions and take ownership, all of which contribute to putting you in a purposeful direction.
- Myth #4
A coach is supposed to provide solutions and tell their clients what to do
Contrary to popular belief, a good coach will never provide solutions or advise clients.
Let’s take a look at the definition of coaching by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the world’s largest organization of professionally trained coaches.
ICF defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
People have the potential to figure things out and don’t need another person telling them what to do or what not to do. Coaches listen deeply and ask powerful questions which enable clients to explore, allowing them to come up with their own solutions. This creates a lasting impact and they are able to carry forward and apply what they’ve learned to other aspects of their life.
- Myth #5
Coaching is expensive
The question always is – relative to what? ‘Expensive’ is a very relative word. What might seem expensive to one person may not be expensive for another. A better evaluation of something is based on the value you gain from it.
Coaching is a highly personalized service and there is no doubt that it can be life changing. When you hire a coach to work with you, you are saying “YES” to you!
Coaching is for people who are committed to the process and are willing to invest in themselves. The financial investment is just one part of the whole investment. You also invest time and energy. The real expense is, perhaps, the cost of not living life to your maximum potential.
Now that you know the myths about coaching, you might wonder if coaching is for you and how it could help you. If you’d like to know more about coaching, you can always get in touch or visit my website for more insights on life coaching. I am always happy to answer any queries you may have and explore which coaching option is right for you.
