Why do I need a Coach?
A coach is non-judgmental,
impartial and professional.
Seeking a coach is not like “being
in therapy”, nor is it like
chatting to a friend. Good friends or neighbours may have your
best interest at heart, and as a great source of comfort and inspiration
they are valuable to us.
However, when you talk to them about subjects
which are close to your heart, they may make suggestions from their
own point of view or view of the world, and advise you based on
this. What they suggest may be different from your own view and
experience, and may limit your own aspirations or cause you to
doubt your own views or thoughts.
Often, we may also feel guilty
or obliged to act on their suggestions or recommendations, even
if they don’t feel quite right to
us. A coach is completely impartial and will not tell you what
to do, but will work with you to help you understand and realise
for yourself what you are looking for.
We use the term coaching
to differentiate between other types of training, therapy or intervention.
Coaching is not:
- Teaching - teaching is a transfer of knowledge
- Consulting - the transfer of professional knowledge, expertise
or experience
- Therapy - dealing with problems from the past to improve the
future
You may hear reference to different types of coaching, for example
Life Coaching, Organisational, Corporate or Business Coaching,
Career Coaching, Health Coaching and so forth.
Many coaches specialise
in working with particular types of clients, for example Health
Coaches work with clients to improve their health and wellbeing.
Life
Coaching may help an individual with their professional choices
and career, but this is part of the whole of the person’s
life.
Executive Coaching or Business Coaching is more likely to
primarily focus on work as the core, but will also address life
issues as a part of this process.
What type of coaching (or coach)
you choose depends on your own personal circumstances or choices.
Whatever type you choose, you will receive the benefits of focused
time and attention, the opportunity to really think clearly about
what you want to achieve and where you want to go, with no interruptions
from other things happening in your life.
