What is Coaching? The top traits of a good coach.

Postcard

If you are thinking about getting a coach, having a better understanding of their role will help you decide if you want to work with one. Coaches can specialize in general or specific areas (career coach, leadership and executive coach, relationship coach, and the list goes on). Regardless of the type of coach you are seeking, the coaching relationship is a partnership.

You will work together, to help you achieve your specific goals. This may be to improve work performance, enhance personal or professional development, figure out the next career move or how to navigate life. Here are a few things you can expect from a coach:

1. Guidance and Mentorship: Acts as a guide and mentor to help navigate current challenges, provides frameworks for decision making, and works toward setting realistic goals. There is no "telling" on what to do.

2. Goal Setting & Accountability: Creates achievable goals. Helps you define them and their associated action plans to reach those goals. Maintains accountability to ensure that commitments are made.

3. Self-growth: Explores the inner self through self-discovery, self-awareness, and personal growth. Provides emotional support, encouragement, and motivation. Through this process, individuals recognize their strengths and capabilities.

4. Feedback Provides honest and constructive feedback and assessments to identify areas for improvement and to probe further into other areas. Addresses challenges, obstacles, and issues that may be hindering progress.

5. Learning & Resources Suggests resources, tools and practices to develop specific skills and enhance abilities. Offers solutions and strategies to overcome hurdles.

6. Motivation: Inspires and motivates to take action and stay committed to achieving goals, even when faced with difficulties or setbacks. Supports individuals in making positive changes in their lives. This may involve personal transformation, career transitions, or behavior modification.

7. Personalization: Coaching is personal and is customized to the individual needs and circumstances of the individual. Coaches adapt their approach and techniques to best support each person's unique goals and challenges.

8. Confidentiality: Maintains confidentiality, ensuring that what is discussed in coaching sessions remains private and secure.

9. Safe Space: Creates a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss freely and to come as you are to the sessions.

Coaching can be a transformative and empowering experience. They help facilitate growth, change, and achievement in people's lives. The specific role and responsibilities of a coach may vary depending on the context and goals of the coaching relationship. The coaching style can also vary based on the individual's needs and preferences.

It's important to note that coaching is not therapy or counseling. While therapists focus on addressing emotional and psychological issues, coaches primarily focus on helping individuals set and achieve goals, improve performance, and enhance their overall quality of life.