How to Change your Thinking

Recently I had a conversation with one of my coaching clients, a successful high-achieving woman who'd achieved a huge amount of positive change through our coaching together. So I was surprised when she said to me: 

“Coaching isn’t interesting any more. It seems everyone is a coach!”

Rigorous conversations

It’s a shame.

Because good coaches are rigorous and disciplined, knowledgeable about why they stick with strong coaching principles.

They know that coaching itself is a rigorous but supportive conversation which empowers their client, creates the buy-in which ensures practical action is taken, and produces deep positive change much more quickly than telling someone what they should do.

Not for everyone, nor every situation

I’m not advocating coaching in every situation, all the time - of course not.

Teaching, rehearsing and advising all have their place.

But good coaches stick to the principles and practices which make coaching different from those activities.

For example, practices and principles like:

• Listen without judging, without thinking of solutions
• Take your own ego out, so the client's thinking process is the focus
• Fearlessly speak truth to power
• Confidently ask questions that challenge constructively.

Your mindset is key to your success

I’m proud to be an Executive Coach. Because I know this work can change the client’s mindset, enabling them to make progress which wasn’t possible before or on their own.

This mindset work creates powerfully beneficial results.

So, yes, I WANT to be part of a world where there are many coaches. That way everyone has access to the kind of conversations which help them be more successful, effective and happy.

That would mean we’d ALL be able to use the full potential and gifts we are born with.

Instead of putting up with a life we don’t love or a mindset that isn’t helpful, we’d all be able to be successful achievers, in our own way, at our own level.

Pie in the sky?

I don’t think so. It's not an empty dream. Though it may take some time to achieve.

Results from coaching are impressive.

The same client I mentioned at the start - highly regarded and a very senior leader in an international organisation – was referring only to the word Coaching.

She described the results of our coaching process together in these words:

“I’m amazed at how much difference it has made. I just decided I’d do […] and I’ve been surprised at how well it has worked. It’s liberating. I feel really good…. Before, for me the purpose - of meetings - was to share information. Now it’s to create a good culture, of openness, honesty, sharing, and a work environment that’s safe, a place where women can flourish as well as men do.”

Now, she will leave a legacy that far exceeds the power of that simple word Coaching.

It transformed her mindset - which radically changed her behaviour. And will change a culture.

You can contact me via Linkedin or at my website here.