What can we expect from using a life coach?

by Mervin Straughan

Okay, so you might have decided that there are areas of your life that need improving or that it’s time for a complete change with a new year looming. You decide you need a life coach. Do you know what’s involved?

In this post, I will provide a broad insight into what a client can expect from most – not all – non-directive coaching relationships.

A coach helps clients empower themselves to address aspects of their personal and professional lives. Some coaches deal with personal clients while others only work with businesses and other organizations that have identified individuals who could benefit. Some work with both types.

Either way, there’s an early discussion around expectations and about the role of the coach. An effective coach sets out to create a trusting and confidential environment in which the client can speak openly and explore the areas they would like to address.

Some coaches will use a framework that encourages the client to set goals and map out action plans for achieving them. The key, here, is to break down goals into small, manageable steps. This helps to make the goal-setting progress realistic but it’s also useful for identifying milestones at which the client can observe progress and reward themselves accordingly.

However, sometimes, the client is unaware of the issue – or issues – but the coach, through careful probing and listening, will help them get to the root of the matter.

The coach may well follow up with a series of monitor-and-review sessions to discuss progress. Additional email and phone personal development coaching are sometimes available but the overall aim is to give clients the tools and techniques for moving on as quickly and effectively as possible themselves.