This is one of the most frequently asked questions I have been getting from friends and others in my network as I started to let folks know that I was making a career pivot into coaching full-time. It came up so often that it made me start asking myself the questions that any good coach would ask, “Wait, why don’t I know? What does it mean that I don’t have an answer?”
It took a few days of panicking and questioning my credibility as a coach to realize that what I was feeling anxious about was not that I didn’t have an answer, but because I did. I was just uncomfortable saying it out loud because people may not like my non-traditional answer.
I believe that executive coaching, career coaching, leadership coaching, life coaching, etc. are really all the same at the core: supporting people to navigate challenges, gain insights, and move forward with more confidence. Whether the situation is about engaging in difficult conversations with direct reports, exploring new professional pathways, or recalibrating personal priorities, working with a coach can help to enhance self-exploration, provide clarity, and facilitate change.
Here’s another little secret: people are still themselves whether they are at home, in the office, or in their home office. There might be different versions of that person that show up depending on the context or the company, but people are not neatly segmented into artificial categories so effective coaching shouldn’t be either.
This holistic approach has certainly helped provide me with a sense of relief that I don’t have to try to conform to awkwardly fit myself into a certain type of coaching box. It allows me to bring in a variety of tools, frameworks, and resources to work with diverse clients who benefit from that expansive perspective, as well.
That’s the kind of coach I am.
If you (or someone you know) could benefit from working with a certified coach and trained facilitator who will provide customized, holistic, and tireless support as you or your team identify and take action towards your goals, please reach out to One Eleven Leadership to set up a complimentary consultation.