What does it take to be a great coach? Have you personally experienced working with someone who truly made a difference in some area of your life? What was different about their approach?
Here at the IAWP, we recognize that many coaches tend to swing between two different coaching styles. Either they offer a lot of advice and information to the client and make suggestions for how to make a change or they serve as a motivational leader or cheerleader providing encouragement and support toward a goal.
Offering suggestions, encouragement, and support are all part of coaching but the most effective coaching takes place from a different space. It empowers both the coach and the client. It goes much deeper into understanding one’s self and discovering the core issues that are getting in the way.
The IAWP’s Core Coaching Method teaches students how to combine the art of coaching with proven psychology techniques about how the brain works to make a change. So our graduates are fully equipped to go beyond being an educator or motivator. They can go out in the world and really make a difference.
Great Wellness Coaches Share Common Attributes
Great coaches seem to share a few common attributes. They are well-adjusted and practice what they preach. They tend to their own lives through personal self-care and self-development. This balance brings positive energy to the coaching experience and helps clients feel confident.
Great coaches desire both a rewarding life and rewarding business. It’s not enough to have a passion for wellness. A passion for wellness without the ability to direct energy, passion, and knowledge into a thriving business means you have a hobby. The IAWP provides systems, tools, structure, and support to our students, so they can channel their energy into running a successful coaching practice.
A great coach always sees the big picture and understands that she will not have all the answers. This is because the answer lies within her client. A great coach knows how to communicate effectively. This helps you empower your clients to discover the core issues that are getting in their way. Then, to support them in reaching their goals.
Great coaches exude confidence. They are authentic and genuine. Clients need to know you are skilled and knowledgeable yet compassionate. They are usually coming from a place of emotion when they seek the help of a coach. It’s up to the coach to sort out all the details through active listening, paraphrasing, and open-ended questions. These skills are developed through practice which is why our students receive practical hands-on experience in the Core Coaching Method.
A great coach bundles up inspiration to pave the possibility of a bright future.
Finally, a great coach is forward-thinking. They focus on the future, not fixing the past. A coach is not a therapist. A great coach focuses on how to move forward, how to live and learn, how to make each day count, how to change one step at a time, how to write your own future despite the past.
