In the realm of professional sports, a team comprising less-regarded, but well-coached players can often defeat a team filled with expensive superstar athletes who lack effective leadership. Guidelines such as teamwork, solidarity, self-belief and the power to outplay their potential are key things a competent sports coach can instill in the team. Talent and aptitude have limitations, both on the field and in life. If they lack direction, purpose or a formulated plan, relying on talent and aptitude alone often falls short. This is where the need for guidance comes into play.
What does a life coach do, you ask? Imagine a life coach as a qualified ship captain, capable of guiding your vessel in the course you desire. The duty of a life coach isn’t necessarily to lend professional advice or command your actions. The essential role of a life coach is to assist you in clarifying your aspirations and provide the various tools required for you to attain them. This may include sets of inquiries, tasks and responsibility, enabling you to usher in vital changes into your life.
Now, why should you solicit a life coach? To guide career progression — if your current job lacks excitement, your development is being stifled, or you’ve experienced a job loss, consulting a life coach could prove beneficial. Several professionals engage life coaches to elevate their career trajectories or to take pleasure in their existing jobs. Whether you’ve lost your job or wish to transition to a role that aligns more closely with your enthusiasm, a life coach can facilitate your move.
For personal development — considering coaching concentrates on forward progress and future perspectives, the focus invariably rests on responsibility, activity, and commitment. Personal growth relies on intentional transformation, which a life coach fosters and brings into existence, leading to positive life changes.
To promote business expansion — providing a coaching or wellness initiative for your employees can enhance your business performance. As reported by The Economic Times, the impact of coaching resulted in “a return on investment almost six times the program cost, along with a 77% improvement in relationships, a 67% increase in teamwork, a 61% rise in job fulfilment, and a 48% upgrade in quality.” This report comes from a study conducted on Fortune 100 executives by the Manchester Consulting Group.
However, it’s critical to understand what a life coach cannot assist in. Although there are coaches available for various facets of life, including careers, relationships, finances, performance and business, life coaches are not replaceable with psychologists. Life coaches are not educated or equipped to deal with issues of mental health. While some psychologists offer life coaching sessions, it’s always wise to verify their qualifications. If you’re grappling with feelings of insufficiency or general distress, it’s recommended to consult your general practitioner first. Your GP can guide you towards the appropriate psychological or mental health care professional.
In conclusion, an effective coach will neither dominate nor cheerlead from the sidelines. He will inform you about the right tools required for your journey and how to use them to maximum effect. While the coaching industry is valued at $1 billion annually, it is not officially supervised, and not everyone who claims to be a coach is adequately trained. Hence, it is crucial to do proper due diligence before choosing a coach.
