Coaching is a hot topic these days and I am a little concerned about all the hype. Here’s why! I know how easily the real value of something can get obscured once people start to see dollar signs attached to it.
All of a sudden it becomes a money making opportunity rather than a meaningful service. Then coach training programs start sprouting up like weeds. And inevitably, people start coming up with strategies to shortcut the process while making more and more money from it. Sound familiar?
The real value of coaching
A coaching career, when handled with integrity, brings amazing value to everyone involved, including the coach. It also fills a very real need, one that exists in almost every conceivable area of life. Certainly, those providing this important service deserve to be well compensated for their hard work and dedication. Personally, this is how I earn my living and I am honored to be involved in such a noble profession. So, what’s the problem?
The problem I see has to do with the reasons why so many people are suddenly interested in a coaching career. Let me ask you something. What kind of overall shift in motive is likely to take place when training facilities place more and more emphasis on the potential for six and seven figure incomes from a coaching career? When the primary focus is on money, how does that influence the quality and sincerity of those seeking certification? And how does all this hype influence potential coaching clients?
Above all else, it must be about people
I know some wonderful coaches and there is one thing that they all have in common. They are deeply and sincerely concerned for the welfare and progress of their coaching clients. Coaching is more than a business to them. It is a meaningful way to contribute something of real value and to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Sure they get paid for their services, but their passion for coaching is not based on money. How do I know that? Because most of them spend their free time writing self improvement articles that they make available for free on blogs similar to this one. It is in their nature to help others and the evidence of this is visible in everything they do. Beyond their abilities, which are considerable, it’s that giving quality that makes them great coaches. They truly care!
An appeal to my fellow coaches
If you are a coach or are considering a coaching career, I encourage you to take an honest look at your primary motives. Real coaching requires a personal commitment to helping other people through some pretty big challenges. That means that there is no effective one size fits all approach. Skill is required.
Right now there are dozens of experts throwing around huge income promises to entice you to buy their training. That’s fine because there are a lot of different formats that will allow you to bring your services to your clients. But don’t let the lure of big money cloud your perception.
Value your integrity and theirs
Coaching is about helping real people with real challenges. It is a noble and rewarding profession, but it also comes with a lot of personal responsibility. Your coaching clients need help and they are looking to you to provide it. What they are really doing is putting their trust in your abilities, your reputation, and your integrity.
When one of my clients makes a breakthrough, I get to share their joy. When they experience a personal or professional victory, I get to experience it right along with them. Coaching offers benefits that few other professions can. It’s a chance to make a meaningful and life changing difference in the lives of other people. Let’s never lose sight of that.
What do you think about current coaching trends?
Do you have an experience to share?
The lines are open!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article – thanks for bringing it to my attention on FB – Business and Personal Coaching is there take your clients to the next level of success, I agree that it is very rewarding to see their successes – little lite bulbs go on and big moves happen.
Hi Donna, I think it’s amazing to share in our clients special breakthrough moments. Personally, really place a high value on that shared experience.
It’s all about the meaning, the sharing, the caring and seeing people move to where they want to be with their lives. Thanks Jonathan
be good to yourself
David
Hi David, I know we are on the same page here. It’s a rewarding way to make a living, that’s for sure.
I think a coach should have some level of demonstrated success in the area in which they are coaching. If they are only coaching to make money, then they should advertise themselves as a coach that focuses on making their clients money and they should have proven success at making money themselves.
The trouble comes in when coaches of all types are pushed to focus on the financial aspect. Some of the best coaches out there are not focused on money. And many clients really need a coach to help them balance things out, not just focus on money out of context.
Well said Steve, I am with you!
Hey Jonathan
Personally, if I was interested in making as much money as possible, I would have chosen a career in banking or law or something. Definitely not coaching.
I chose to be a coach (sort of) because B) I can make a comfortable living while A) helping others grow and enrich their life. It’s this contribution to others that makes the job fulfilling for me and ultimately defines it.
PS: I have a new website (my name links to it).
Hi Eduard, I was wondering where you went. Thanks for commenting and for letting us know about your new location.
At Fowler Wainwright International Institute of Professional Coaching, we believe that “having an authentic passion to help others make positive changes in their lives” is imperative for GREAT coaching.
Hi Barbara, and thanks for stopping by. I think you chose the perfect word to describe the importance of “having an authentic passion to help others make positive changes in their lives.” IMPERATIVE, that’s it exactly.