Stigma & Coaching?? Any connection?

Disclaimer: Normally, disclaimers are put at the end, but I decided to give readers the freedom of exercising their choice. I AM A COACH, so I am very interested in people becoming more engaged, as that translates to financial gains for the coaching fraternity. So, if I still manage to hold your attention, thank you, & please read on.         

How did I make this wild connection between stigma & coaching? During an informal interaction with some learned & wise individuals, they opined that coaching was a great process. However, they believed that none of them required it in the past, nor would they need it in the future. For me, the subliminal message I received was that the process was good for people with some shortcoming of sorts. I couldn’t respond immediately, but the thought irked me, so I decided to dive deeper. Hence the writeup.

While researching the word "stigma," I stumbled upon some rather interesting information. Stigma comes from the Greek word στ?γμα, meaning 'mark,' which is related to the word στ?ζειν, meaning to tattoo, prick, or puncture. In Latin, it became "instigare," meaning 'to urge.' Therefore, stigma also leads to action, specifically discrimination against the stigmatised person. To discriminate is to make adverse distinctions regarding the stigmatised & to create distinctions prejudicial to people different from oneself (in terms of race, colour, or sanity). This creates a vicious circle where discrimination leads to prejudice, prejudice to stigma, & stigma to discrimination. I realized that there were underlying thoughts clouding people’s perceptions, leading them to shy away from seeking coaching services.

I will be perceived as weak – In today’s hyper-competitive world, being perceived as weak can be a death knell. Interestingly, the perception of weakness is often shaped by societal, cultural, & individual psychological environments. In such competitive settings, asking for help is seen as equivalent to holding up a placard that says, “I AM WEAK.” Gender plays a significant role in reinforcing this perception, emphasizing self-reliance & discouraging vulnerability. If the person also plays roles like protector & provider, this perception is even more pronounced. Fortunately, this view is evolving, though change is slow.

Will I be judged? In antagonistic environments, seeking coaching can be judged as a sign of weakness, incompetence, or even unfitness for leadership. In organizations where machismo & aggressiveness are encouraged, choosing coaching could be seen as a sign of inadequacy, potentially leading to a loss of face. This fear of judgment makes coaching a forbidden zone for many.

Coaching is for underperformers In a competitive world, no one wants to be seen as an underperformer. The "performer" template can feel very restrictive for most people, leading to the view that coaching is for underperforming leaders. This misconception creates a stigma around seeking support. The organizational environment can also act as a massive barrier to coaching. A top-down approach is needed, with constant messaging at multiple levels that coaching is not just for fixing problems.

Myth of self-sufficiency – In organizational cultures that stress incorrect constructs of independence & self-reliance, seeking coaching can carry a stigma. Seeking external help is seen as a sign that the individual isn’t cut out for the job. No person is a perfect fit for all roles at all times, but urban legends propagate these myths. As a result, people who seek coaching are looked down upon.

So, are we still stuck in a phase where those seeking coaching are slandered? I can say with confidence that this perception is slowly but surely changing.

However, the rate of change depends on the organisational environment & the individual’s personal goals in the coaching process.

If any of the reader would like to have discussion with me on coaching services the please book a slot

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