Exploring a key coaching benefit

Gaining self-confidence:

Whether deliberately seeking coaching for this exact goal or it being a bi-product of the coaching experience, gaining more confidence in yourself is a common and welcome benefit of having coaching.

Firstly, this has a lot to do with how empowering the coaching process is. It isn’t prescriptive and it isn’t advice, you the client are setting your goals and your actions. Once the actions are done and the goals are met, it is not only of the benefit initially considered, but also it reinforces your own self- belief. Did I know the right path for me? Was I able to achieve what I set out to? Yes and yes! A very reassuring bi-product and one that affords you the confidence to continue to push forward with your goals and actions long after the coaching has continued. I think that confidence is also one of those things that can continue to build every time you complete an action between sessions. It is something I visibly observe in my clients. They will come back for another session- often midway and there is a difference in their presence physically and also in how decisive they are about their next steps. A client of mine recently came into session with such a different demeanour, more relaxed and in control and more confident in her ability to decide what she wants. A very rewarding thing to be a part of!

Confidence coaching itself is the more blatant way a client can benefit from the process. Many people come to coaching with “imposter syndrome” or because they may feel under confident in a work scenario. This may be public speaking, dealing with certain individuals or attending specific meetings or events. Now of course it depends on the root cause a lot of the time, but once this is explored in coaching, solutions can be found that make breaking down barriers much more simple. Over time, these steps result in being able to do something much more confident than before. A client of mine tried lots of techniques to help herself manage a difficult virtual meeting, especially the challenge from an individual who intimidated her. Not only did these make that process much easier, she actually spoke to the individual informally when they met in person, and fed back her feelings in a calm and mature way. The person welcomed the feedback and hadn’t the awareness to recognise their impact. When she told me this I was in awe! It was a far cry from the individual so full of self doubt and lacking in confidence that I had met 4 months before.

I could give so many examples of the benefit of coaching for self- confidence. It’s a change as a coach that I never tire of observing in my clients. Such a privilege. If you are thinking this might be the right approach for you, please get in touch.