An ICF coach acknowledges and respects the client’s unique talents, insights and work in the coaching process
Who knows best? The expert you brought in, or your own gut?
If we’re talking about products or processes, like SaaS or a marketing campaign, then an expert knows what they’re doing and you should expect to lean on their recommendations.
But when we’re talking about you, you’re the expert. That’s why coaches need to rely on you as the authority.
A good coaching mindset requires the coach to give up their lofty dreams of being the expert opinion, and re-frame how they approach their clients. It means setting the tone of the conversation around exploration and discovery of what the client wants, not what the coach thinks. This is why open and honest questions are so valuable - they help us resist the temptation to fling our opinions out the window in a drive-by of someone’s situation.
There’s all types of people and institutions ready to convince you that you need their input. If you’re needing help with a product or process, sure, that’s awesome. But when it comes to you, don’t let a religious authority, mentor, boss or “friend” try to convince you that you don’t know what you’re doing, that you need their opinion, that you don’t have what it takes to go where you need. That’s toxic, undermining and crippling.
You need you. You need your talents, insights and work. A good coach, religious authority, boss, mentor and friend not only recognizes it, but makes room for it. They cheer you on, help you feel heard, let you make moves, and welcome your voice to the table.
Trust your gut, and trust people that trust you.