Internal Consistency

At a recent networking event, someone asked, “Isn’t coaching only for underachievers/underperformers or people that are struggling?“

This question is a common misconception of what is coaching and who receives coaching. In actuality the opposite is true. Coaching is for high achievers and high performers that want to reach new levels of accomplishment or to get every bit out of life that’s possible.

Secondly, it’s unlikely that they are ‘struggling’ but might claim to be ‘stuck’. The term ‘stuck’ is fitting because of the want and desire to reach new levels of accomplishment.

In the past, coaching was equated to tutoring. (“Here, let me show you”) Coaching used to be perceived as transferring knowledge/expertise from an expert to a less knowledgeable/experienced individual. Previously, it was assumed that any form of coaching was intended for remedying any shortcomings. It was thought of as ‘fixing’ something broken.

This equating of coaching to tutoring is fear-based in that you sure didn’t want to be the one that is getting coaching. The thought, “It’s only necessary for underperformers” created the misconception.

However, coaching isn’t like hiring a tutor; it’s like hiring a co-pilot.



Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Achieving your goals is like flying around the world. Sure, you could do it alone, but it would be a difficult voyage, consisting of moments of uncertainty, doubt, and exhaustion. To make sure your goal is achieved, you hire a co-pilot to help with the navigation. Your co-pilot is going to help you navigate around the high mountains, through the turbulence, and maintain your stamina while making the long flight across the Pacific Ocean. The co-pilot isn’t going to do the flying, isn’t going to take the controls, but instead is going to help you get where you want to go.

So who seeks out a coach? It isn’t the regional flyer that is content with the short trips to the tri-state area; It’s the adventurous globetrotting pilot that is in for the long haul.