How to avoid the pitfalls of coaching
Coaching is a growth industry that has yet to achieve recognized accreditation. There’s nothing to stop anyone setting up a coaching practice. And this has created tensions between the so-called ‘professionals’ (therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists) and those without formal qualifications. What ever your background, there are some pitfalls that need to be avoided or risk doing more harm than good. Some of the major pitfalls are as follows.
1. Reach agreement up-front.
Even the most highly qualified coaches must learn not to start without an agreement—preferably signed—between the coach and the client. If coaching is your ‘bread and butter’, you need to ensure that your will be paid for your services. If the potential client is reluctant to talk through these important issues before intervention starts, it’s highly unlikely that those issues—including payment of your professional fees—will occur later.
2. Know the difference between being ‘in control’ and ‘in charge’.
Inexperienced coaches often like to be in charge and retain control. Coaches need to let go of any desire to control outcomes. For a coach to be effective, s/he must remain ‘in charge’ but be prepared to give ‘control’ to the client. It is the client who must accept responsibility for his or her behavior and goal-achievement.
3. Remain solution-focused.
Coaching is a goal-directed, solution-focused
activity. The coach must ensure that his or her actions are forward-looking rather than backward looking and focusing on what works rather than dwelling on the problem. If as coach you recognize the need to recommend the services of an accredited therapist—do so.
