By Rob Stringer, ICA Faculty
Youth Coach, CANADA
On a scale of 1-10, how confident do you feel as a Coach?
There are MANY factors that could influence your score, including how far along you are on your coaching journey. While there is no right or wrong answer, here are a few strategies recently shared in class that may help to boost your score …
(1) Think “Progress” not “Perfection”
Remember the first time you heard an experienced Coach in session?
They made it seem so effortless: calmly “dancing with their client” as they explored the issue, always seeming to know what to ask next. But remember, like everyone who worked on developing their craft, they didn’t start out that way.
Nervous?
Remember it’s about progress not perfection. Decide to really focus on only 1-2 key skills in those initial coaching experiences. You might even publicly declare what they are if you are seeking feedback from observers. Know that over time, you’ll build and grow your coaching skills and toolbox. Just like learning to walk, we usually must take baby steps before we can run.
(2) Be Kind to Yourself
Check your self-talk. Do you have a bad case of “The Shoulds?” (“I should be better, I should know what to ask next, etc.”)
Often, we can be our own worst critics. Just like you would for your clients, acknowledge the fact that progress often includes lots of mistakes along the way. WHEN you make mistakes (and you will), be kind to yourself. Mistakes are not necessarily good or bad, they’re just results we weren’t looking for. As with many things in life, it’s not what happens, but rather how we respond that can make all the difference.
(3) Get Curious
Ask yourself what is behind the score you gave yourself? Is there a fear or self-limiting belief getting in the way? Shining a light on these is often the first step in reducing or eliminating them. It’s also a great opportunity to use some of the learning from other ICA classes like Creating Awareness, Mindfulness, Reframing Perspectives, and Trust vs. Doubt, to name a few.
By yourself (or with your own Coach), you might also want to explore topics like:
- What value do you bring to your clients?
- What expectations/goals have you set for that session (or for yourself as a Coach)?
- In what other areas of your life are you confident? How did you get there?
- How is that fear/limiting belief serving you?
- What would it take to move that confidence score (1-10) to the next number?