“What is it that you actually know?” I was asked this question just the other day, in relation to what I do as a coach. The question really made me laugh, because at face value, the person asking it had just asked me if I really knew anything. I understood her deeper question. That was, “As a coach what are you an ‘expert’ on?”
That’s a good question. Every time I begin working with a new or potential client, I remind them that, “You are the expert on yourself, and oftentimes the expert on the goal you want to accomplish.” My ‘expertise’ as a coach is in helping people make change, and motivating them to keep the change they’ve implemented.
The best quote I ever heard on implementing change is most often attributed to Margaret Thatcher, “Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” As a coach, it is my desire to work side by side with my client in helping them create a life-change plan that is consistent with their vision, purpose and mission. I also help people in determining specific steps to take (not dictating the steps to them). This is all part of ‘Planning the Work’.
After that, my role is to help the client ‘work their plan’. This happens through connecting the plan to key points of motivation (the people and/or things that they are doing it for) and collaborating to create solutions to problems that come along the way. Also, I leverage my gifts of encouragement to keep people motivated and positive about their forward progress.
This process is fun and motivating to me, as well as the client. I come out of conversations like these SO motivated to tackle the changes I need to make. This ‘Co-active’ coaching process (not my original words) is invigorating for everyone involved and produces meaningful change!
Big Question: What do you usually need help with, creating the ‘change plan’, or working that plan out?
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I am a life and leadership coach, a parent, a husband and follower of God...in inverse order. I love baseball, movies and cooking too!
