What does a coach do?

I was asked the question recently - what does a life coach actually do? Is it someone who is going to tell me what to do? Someone who helps me with some tasks and then tells me what the best step is? Who occasionally sends me a report with things I already know myself?

Not to me, it isn’t. those are expectations you might have from an advisor, a mentor, a consultant or a teacher. All those roles have their importance, depending on the context, especially if you are to work with people as a manager or team leader.

But as a coach, I see my role differently. As a coach, my job is to help people step out of their fixed thinking patterns. That’s when I help you see what you can’t see for yourself and help you feel what it could mean to change your ways.

How does that work practically? I ask questions that matter in the moment, and I also share with you what I see and hear happening in what you say. We won't shy away from the things that really matter. Our coaching is always about something that affects you personally. Something significant to you. It’s also about how you can do more with it yourself, or just step away from circumstances should that be what you need.

Plus: it is a lot of fun - we laugh a lot, and yes, sometimes there are tears and a lot of silence, but also movement and action. And we always end with a forward-moving action: what are you going to do now, with your new insights?

That's what it's all about: insights into what matters to you in your life, how you feel about it now and what you really want, and then taking action to go for it your way. Lovely, isn't it!