Self-assured coaching: 4 tips to grow as a professional coach

Entering the coaching profession is a journey full of challenges. In addition to learning coaching skills, developing confidence in yourself, self-awareness and your self-assurance as a coach is key. Many (starting) coaches want to coach not only thoroughly but also confidently. Do you experience this as well? Then know that you are not the only one! Recognizing this need is an important step in your personal and professional growth. In this article, we share with you some common thoughts we see in training professional coaches. And, we will give you 4 tips to support you in confident coaching.

1. “Who am I to be allowed to coach others?”

A high bar, comparing yourself to others, being focused on achievement, fear of failure or negative past experiences can all underlie this thinking.

On the one hand, this thought can be helpful. It keeps you focused, encourages self-reflection, and encourages you to continually learn and grow. It can encourage you to brush up on your knowledge, deepen your skills, and give your best. However, it takes on a downside when you are constantly concerned in your coaching with “whether you are good enough. This thought will take hold of you and disconnect you from your coachee.

So how can you deal with this? Understand that this thought is often not based on facts, but on your own feelings and experiences. Recognizing and acknowledging this thought is an important first step in overcoming it. Remind yourself that every coach was once at the point where you are now. They asked themselves the same question, “Who am I to be allowed to coach others?” They found the answer not in thought, but in action – in constantly learning, adapting, and improving. And so can you! The thought then becomes rather “Who am I not to coach others”!

2. “Can I really help others?”

To get right to the point; as a coach, you don’t have to help anyone. That may sound contradictory, but let’s explain. Your role as a coach is not to solve problems for others or manage their lives for them. Instead, your role is to create space in which your coachees can gain their own insights, discover their own answers and take their own steps toward change.

The thought, “Can I really help others?”, often stems from the idea that you as a coach are responsible for your coachee’s growth and change. This is a misconception. The power of coaching lies in facilitating (holding space) self-discovery and supporting your coachee to take charge themselves. You provide the tools, techniques and a safe environment for reflection and growth. You are a guide, not a savior.

3. “What if I don’t have answers?”

It is almost a repetition of what we wrote in the previous point; As a coach, you don’t have answers for your coachee. The coachee has those himself. It is not your job to solve questions or give advice. However, you do guide coachees in finding their own answers and insights. Learn to be comfortable with asking questions, allowing an exploratory dialogue to develop in partnership, and foremost NOT knowing. Trust the process and inner wisdom of your coachees.

The art of coaching is not knowing !

4. “Can I build a successful practice?”

Contrary to what social media might sometimes lead you to believe… Building a successful coaching practice takes time and dedication. Beginning coaches understandably wonder if they can attract enough coachees and make their practice profitable. It is important to continue to develop yourself and invest in marketing and networking. Be patient, persistent and curious. Rome wasn’t built in one day; Build your practice slowly but steadily and learn from every experience.

Remember that uncertainties are a natural part of growth. Every successful coach once started as a beginner and has known uncertainties. Use your insecurities as a motivation to grow, improve your skills and keep learning.

Coaching is a profession and – believe it or not 😉 Entrepreneurship is also a profession. Various agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Tax Office can support you in this. Seek support from other (entrepreneurial) coaches, follow continuing education programs and keep developing yourself. And remember, a successful coaching practice can take different forms; supplemented with training, online, offline, maybe you will write a book, start coaching within one or more organizations. Above all, discover what suits you, your goals and what makes you happy.

Want to learn more about confident coaching?

A good education provides not only valuable knowledge and skills, but also support to coach more confidently. It gives you a solid foundation to build on and strengthens your belief in your own abilities. Moreover, accredited training can also help build trust and credibility with potential coachees. After all, they often cannot see the forest for the trees because of the range of coaches on offer.

An accredited training such as Co-Creation offers not only theoretical knowledge and the possibility of certification, but above all many practical skills. These are essential for effective coaching. Co-Creation allows you to become familiar with different coaching techniques, ethical code of conduct of ICF and the psychology of transformational behavior change. In addition, Co-Creation also allows you to practice coaching under the guidance of experienced professionals, providing valuable feedforward and growth opportunities. With each coaching conversation and each step you take, you will find that your confidence and self-assurance grows as well.