1.)    It’s all about sports.

Coaching comes in many forms, and sports coaching is only one. Even when I tell somebody I’m a transformational or executive coach, I’ve received the question, “For what sport?” Man! It seems in our society sports has become so pervasive the mind scrambles to think of anything that coaching could accomplish outside the athletic arena. 

2.)    A coach tells you what to do.

Not at all. If a coach spends all of their time telling you what to do, maybe it’s time to find a new coach. The engine behind transformational coaching is the belief that we are all inherently capable. We have 99% of the answers right there inside of us. Finding our own way, with the skilled assistance of a professional mirror (aka coach) to illuminate the deeply buried patterns and behaviors holding us back, is how we earn our empowerment stripes. It’s not about telling you what to do; it’s about helping you discover your own truths. 

3.)    A coach has all the answers.

If you had a professor who gave you the answers before every exam what are the odds you’d walk away from that having learned anything? In coaching, there are no wrong answers. The only requirement is that you dig deep into your own heart, mind, and soul, and start taking healthy risks. Sometimes that looks like simply deciding on one simple step forward toward discovering a solution…which may then lead you to a bigger question…in which case you dig even deeper to find another piece of your own transformational gold. Coaching is discovery. It’s a treasure hunt into your own inner world. 

4.)    A coach will yell at you.

(Memories of 9^th grade volleyball?)

No professionally trained transformational coach is going to yell at you. Or even voice displeasure. This is your life. A coach is here to help you expand your vision and add a layer of accountability to reaching your dreams. There are some versions of coaching which actually assign you ‘failure tasks’, as I call them, like running around the block four times if you fail to meet your goal (?). For somebody somewhere this might be the kind of motivation that works for them. But If anyone ever suggested that I run around the block four times as punishment for my procrastination…my response would be a quick exit. More skilled versions of coaching believe that negative reinforcement has no place in coaching. Discussing the reasons and the feelings behind an action step not happening is the only exploration that makes sense in my world. 

5.)    Coaching is superficial. Only therapy has depth.

Completely untrue.

Coaching results in profound changes to a person’s behavior, strategies, and life. I have a master’s degree in psychology but I have chosen transformational and executive coaching as a career. The reason for that is the energy. A person has to be two things in order to be a coaching client rather than a therapy client. They have to be self-correcting, meaning they can actually see how their behavior is affecting their life and the life of those around them. And they have to be self-generating ~ meaning that in order to change or achieve they have to accept that the answers and solutions are there within them. They have to be able to generate their own power, motivation, and course-corrections. 

These two factors are energizing for me personally. If a person can’t engage these factors, if they can’t progress from past trauma, if they are unaware of the destruction they are causing themselves or others, or if they have no ability to put forth an action step, then I will refer them to a psychotherapist which I believe could truly help them.

Transformation can happen in an instant. Permanent, lasting change resulting from profound, deep insight can happen in any coaching session.

Coaching is deep, rich, courageous work, and I am so honored to be that partner for those working to turn their spark into the flames of passion and purpose.

Much Love,

Kristy

P.S. ~ To read more about my professional coaching practice, please jump over here!