Episode 69 - My Coaching Philosophies You Can Steal for Leadership

May 2, 2024 Hayley Carr

…which I hope inspire you and get you thinking

Episode available 03 May

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At its heart, coaching is an art form. Whether you’re a manager, leader, parent, counsellor, therapist, or coach in any capacity, the paradox lies in walking with someone through their journey, prioritizing their autonomy and best interests, without dictating the outcome based on your opinions.

As a coach and mentor, I've discovered that holding solid, personal coaching philosophies not only sharpens my ability to make quick, impactful decisions but also enables me to truly listen and place my client’s needs ahead of what I think is best.

Today I’m sharing 10 of my personal coaching philosophies, which I hope inspire you and get you thinking.

1. People very rarely need or want what they think they need or want.

In my experience, people often have a set idea of what they should want, but when you peel back the layers, you discover they genuinely want something different. Your job as a coach is to go deeper and uncover the true desire or necessity behind a goal.

2. Your strategy as a coach is completely irrelevant

Jumping straight into strategies without aligning with the client's actual needs is a complete waste of time. Before you start any strategy, first get super clear on what the client really wants or needs.

3. Chemistry is more important than strategy

The rapport between coach and client is far more crucial than any curriculum or strategy. Ultimately, coaching is an intimate container and trust needs to be built in order for any change to occur.

4. Slow Down. Speed Up

There's profound power in slowing down. It allows for clarity, deeper understanding, and contrary to how it might seem, you also reach your goals faster with less effort. It’s not about slowing everything down no matter what, it’s about taking considered action and wasting no effort.

5. The curriculum is in the client

The coaching agenda should emerge from your client's unique journey and discoveries, not the other way around. Life is always going to happen, and making space for nuances and varied experiences will always be a priority.

6. Be willing to let your client hate you

Sometimes promoting real growth means risking what someone thinks of you. A good coach or leader will set their ego aside act and speak out of integrity, even if it means saying something they might not want to hear.

7. The more you live your life, the better a coach you will become

Coaching comes down to listening and learning and the more life experience you have to draw from, the more you understand that you don’t know it all. Listen well and empathise with people and from that place, you can offer a rich coaching experience.

8. Make your wealth outside of your coaching business.

This is quite a controversial opinion but in my business, I know that separating financial success from coaching outcomes helps me maintain integrity and truly focus on my client’s success.

9. Don't try to be a superhero. Aim to be unemployed

A natural tendency as a coach is to want to cling to clients and make them need you forever. But a good leader will make themselves dispensable, aiming for a relationship where the client feels empowered to create long-term success without you.

10. Coaching is learning from the past and creating the future

If someone is stuck in the past, my goal as a coach is to bring them into the present. And if someone is anxious about the future, again the work is to bring them into the present.

These philosophies are from my worldview and you might agree, you might not. Either way is completely fine but I do hope these principles inspire you to think deeper about your personal philosophies and how you might be able to unlock a greater sense of intention into what it is you do.

HAYLEY CARR