What is a Professional Coach and How Can You Benefit from Having Your Own Coach? by Sandy Slater

Often when people hear the term "Professional Life Coach" their typical response is, "what's that?" Let me explain what a coach does and how a coach can help you both personally and professionally.

Most of us understand the role of a coach in the competitive world of sport. Put simply, a coach:

Athletes aren't the only ones who can benefit from this model. In our highly competitive business world, many elite players, including CEOs and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies, have coaches in their corner. In fact, coaching has become a well known corporate perk. Recognized as a powerful self-development tool, many executives work with their coach to set and achieve professional and personal goals; becoming better decision-makers, better managers and even better parents along the way.

You may say, "But I work in a small company" or, "I work on my own". Coaching isn't just for the corporate crowd. In fact, having a coach can be even more beneficial to those in small companies where there are few or no co-workers with whom to share ideas, or work through business challenges or discuss personal issues.

In our rapidly changing world, more and more people are feeling overwhelmed and looking for greater purpose, balance and support. Coaching focuses on personal growth, whether that involves changing careers, effectively dealing with a spouse or children or just fulfilling a life-long dream like skydiving or trying stand-up comedy. Your coach can:

As more of us seek to create a more fulfilling life, find a better work-life balance or achieve a sharper competitive edge in business the coaching profession continues to grow. Referred to as one of the fastest growing industries in North America for business professionals seeking self-improvement, the Globe and Mail wrote, "In Canada alone it is estimated that there are more than 3,000 professionally trained coaches to help individuals and organizations develop clear life and business strategies" (August 18, 2005).

A professional coach (life or business) is there just for you. Your coach is someone whose sole purpose is to help you define your own goals. Someone who listens with a completely objective ear to work with you to bring out the best in you, your relationships and your business. To be as successful as possible in our work life, particularly when independent or part of a small team means we need as many supporters in our corner as possible.

Ken Blanchard, renowned author of The One Minute Manager says:

"No matter how successful we are, we all need a coach to keep us on track, to bring out the best in us".

If you would like to learn more about how a professional coach can work with you to improve your personal and business, I would be happy to help.