Hi everyone. I’m Brian O’Brien and I’m the new coaching blogger for Smart Company magazine. Over the next while, I’m going to be talking with you about coaching, what coaching is, what coaching ISN’T, what coaching can do for you, and what it means to be a coach. Coaching is all about conversations and questions. I hope you will feel free to put in your two-cents…because I’m certainly going to share my opinions with you! So, ask anything, comment on anything — and hopefully you’ll contribute to a great coaching conversation.
So, let’s start with what a coach isn’t.
A coach isn’t a therapist. We don’t try to solve all of your problems. We aren’t psychologists. We aren’t licensed to practice psychiatry…and wouldn’t dare pretend to. And, while we might be friendly, we aren’t your friend. Some coaches do become friends with their clients, but typically, we’re not. We’re also NOT consultants. We don’t tell you what to do. We might have a process (I happen to have a GREAT process), but most coaches will follow your lead.
So, if we’re not therapists…we’re not psychologists…we’re not friends…and we’re not consultants…what good are we?
Well, what we are good for is helping you get from point A to point B. We’re good at helping you decide why you are uncomfortable with your life. Why “things” aren’t working for you lately. We can help you answer the television talk show host question: “How’s that working for you?” We can help you identify what you want. How you can move forward. What’s getting in your way. What resources do you really have that can aid you in your efforts. And the part most of us forget — to celebrate the little, everyday victories…in spite of ourselves.
OK, so, now you know generally what a coach is. The next question you might be thinking is, “How do I know if I need a coach?”
That’s the easy part: If you have talked to a friend…however generally…and it was unsatisfactory. If you have a boss or a subordinate that you are struggling with and the “Dealing with Difficult People” course didn’t get around to this particular person. If you find yourself exhausted…after doing everything right for years! If you don’t remember your kids names, who they are dating, and where you left them last night when you took them to something after school! You are a perfect candidate for a coach!
The good news is that all of this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a million questions that still need to be answered about coaching. And I’m here to answer those questions — but I need to know what those questions are. Ask away. That’s what I’m here for.
The next blog will address the question of qualification. How do you know if the coach you are considering is qualified to work with you? These, and many more questions, will be addressed over the next few months.
And, while you’re thinking of your next great question, check out my website at www.Myriad-PSI.com. Look around, and see if it stimulates a thought. Then let us know. Thanks for reading this blog…☺
Warmly,
Brian
