In this weeks guest post Charlotta Hughes shares some of her expertise and knowledge.

Challenging the coaching critic

by Charlotta Hughes

January can be a busy time of year for us coaches, as people seek out the best support to make sure the New Year becomes the best it can be.

We, who work in the coaching profession, know just how much more likely it is that those who use coaching to support them, succeed in actually seeing things through, break down real or perceived barriers and implement the improvements they desire.

When given the opportunity, it’s such a joy to see the positive changes unfold and just how possible it is to defy the February blues kicking in.

However, we do need to be given the opportunity and despite the known and visible benefits, for many coaches it’s pretty hard to find the clients. Even in January.

And for many individuals desiring positive changes, they don’t make the leap and commit to a coaching process, reducing their chances of success significantly.

This is a conundrum that I’ve pondered for some time and I’ve come to realize that there are two main reservations about coaching that I hear and read about:

1. Coaching is too fluffy and unscientific.

2. Coaching is a luxury!

They’ve fascinated me for some time and I’ve spent some time reflecting on them over the holidays.

In doing so, I’ve been considering where these criticisms may stem from and I’ve also scrutinised my own thoughts on whether they bear any real weight or not.

Thankfully, I’ve landed in a strong conviction that neither are true for great coaching.  Like all professions, of course, there are good and bad coaches.  So, for the sake of this piece, I’ll only consider great coaching. Which, of course, is what we all endeavor to provide!

When the coaching is great, the criticisms just don’t stand up and there are strong arguments around why they don’t.  Rather helpful when the skeptics turn up!

Let’s start with looking at criticism number one – it’s too fluffy and unscientific.

Truthfully there is a lot of science behind great coaching.

This is not always obvious, as the philosophy of great coaching is to not bamboozle people with science and facts but rather to deliver it in a way that is accessible to everyone. That’s part of its power – no one feels daunted or overwhelmed and can simply enjoy the process and its benefits.

A great coach never puts themselves in the ‘I know best’, ‘my word is law’ or ‘I’m right and don’t need to explain how or why’ bracket. This allows the clients to listen to and trust themselves and, with the guidance of the coach, instill the scientifically proven benefits in ways that suit and work for them.

So on to criticism number two – it’s a luxury.

Of course it’s true that we must be able to afford whatever we chose to spend money on.

However, how we prioritise and make decisions around what we can afford is influenced about what feels like a luxury and what doesn’t.

And I really disagree that great coaching is a luxury.

We only have one life, and the main player in each of our individual scenarios is ourselves. That is (or should be) true for all of us.

This doesn’t make us selfish and it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ever priorities those around us. What it does mean however, is that if we forget to value and look after ourselves, we reduce the quality of our one and only life.  And in doing so, we probably become less of a value or positive addition to others’ lives too.

The mindset that such self prioritisation and development is a luxury is anything but helpful. To ourselves and those we love.

Here’s 4 reasons why great coaching is a priority rather than a luxury:

1.    Developing and growing as a person is fundamental to you being the best that you can be.

2.    Learning how to take control of your life underpins your success, happiness and motivation.

3.    Understanding your motivators and what drives you is vital for knowing yourself; who you are and what you really want from life.

4.    Liberating yourself from limiting beliefs and fears is the secret to kick start action, eliminate inertia and achieve great things.

This is why I don’t regard great coaching a luxury, and not even a ‘cost’ but rather a serious investment in ourselves and our future happiness. One worth prioritising whenever possible.

These are the messages that I convey wherever and whenever I get a chance and slowly but surely, it’s a joy to see the skeptics won over and more and more individuals allowing themselves the great joy that comes with coaching. Good luck in getting your positive messages out there and in helping more and more people take the leap and make that commitment to themselves and their dreams!

About Charlotta Hughes

Charlotta has been coaching professionally for over 12 years and in March 2013 she won UK Life Coach of the Year, awarded by the national body Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and  Consultants. She specialises in coach mentoring, confidence, direction and entrepreneur coaching.

To receive Charlotta’s monthly inspirational and informative newsletters, sign up here: http://eepurl.com/qNtZH
This will also ensure you’ll receive her offers, events information and other news.

Charlotta’s background is within Human Resources and she started her busy coaching practice, be me life coaching, in January 2007.