“ I don’t know anyone who admits to needing wellness coaching.” This was the subject line in an email from a friend I had asked to remember me if she knew anyone experiencing life or health challenges. Whew. I laughed, yes, I know what she means! Luckily, I do know some great clients and colleagues who “admit” to needing coaching.
Coaching is a fairly new concept. I think coaches replace some older professions or aspects of professions that have changed with time and culture. So, where as the concept of hiring a coach may be new, the work of coaches is not. Doctors, nurses, teachers, and clergy have been coaching throughout time. Cutlure has changed these professions and now days we have specific folks ( like me) who are trained to support these professions and independent individuals ( like you). I think its time we dispel some myths about who needs coaching and take down the barriers that prevent people from accessing this transformative service.
5 Misconceptions about WHO Hires Coaches:
#1: Thier lives are a mess
Actually, prepare to be shocked. It takes a lot of awareness to recognize you need a coach! So, the majority of people who hire coaches are actually really grounded and capable. Often, it is because of this groundedness that they can feel when they need help in specific areas. My clients are all amazing people running complex lives with the awareness it could be improved in some capacity.
#2 They are weak
This one is actually a misconception we have as a culture and we really should all set it down right now. Let’s take apart the “ It’s weak to ask for help” concept. What is weakness, anyway? It’s kind of a concept we created to keep people from asking for help. When we say someone is weak for admitting they need support we mean they lack courage and strength of character. Except, the very act of asking for help in a culture that de-values asking is in fact courageous and an example of strength. So, there. No one can use that excuse any more. Strong people ask for support, AND accept it.
#3 They are rich
I wish they were. I wish that all my clients never had to worry about money every again becuase I am a loving person who wishes that for everyone. But, truth is, my clients are not rich. I actually work really hard to make coaching available to anyone ( and if you need a scholarship, please contact me). People who invest in coaching are people who value their quality of life. They are people who value their relationships and recognize they have a responsiblity to show up as well as possible for those they love ( including themselves). I get to know the deep down details of every aspect of peoples lives, including finance. People who spend money on coaching come from all different income situations and they accept resposiblity for how they show up in the world.
#4 They are not leaders and experts
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. This might be the wrong-est misconception out there and the one holding back the MOST people who I encounter who I know want coaching. Guess what? ALL of my clients are leaders. They are leaders in their industries, leaders in their families, and leaders in their communities. ALL of them. AND I have a coach and a network of peers who I lean on for support. No one is going to think you know less and that’s why you are reaching out. Leaders and experts know that leaders and experts hire/lean on other leaders and experts. Do not be afraid that the coach you hire is going to find out all this “stuff” about you. A coach is someone who has unconditional postive regard for thier clients, they do not judge you. For real. Imagine how healing it can be to sit in a space of unconditional positive regard while you contemplate your choices. That alone is a good reason to hire a coach!
#5 They are silly ( not real, full of fluff, absurd)
I get it. It was really hard for me to say I was a coach at first because of the preception that coaches and people who hire them are silly. These preceptions are mostly brought about by characters in movies and on TV shows. Coaches and people who hire them are often joked about on screen. Here’s the thing: There probably are silly coaches and maybe silly clients too. There are silly people in all professions. The more people who encounter coaches doing good work and experience lasting change, the less silly we all seem. I am really okay with being on the forefront of social changes that make us a healthier bunch of people, aren’t you?
These 5 Misconceptions about who hires coaches are all false. Let’s just remember this:
People with awareness and strength, from all financial backgrounds, who are leaders and experts in their lives are hiring coaches. They are on the forefront of a movement to bring about a healthier culture for us all.