Coaching ‘Old-School’ Stigma

Looking back at coaching from when I started in industry, nearly 30 years ago, it was considered something only sportsmen and women would have considered, with discipline-heavy approaches. Analytics which are commonplace nowadays were emerging but not mainstream. The style will have been often more authoritative with less focus on mental health or athlete empowerment.

In the workplace, coaching was directed at Executive level, it was gaining traction in the corporate world but not as widespread or accepted as today.
The approach was closely tied to performance management or leadership development. Far fewer coaches were certified as coaching standards were only just being introduced, and there was no governing body as such.

Life coaching was relatively new and sometimes viewed with scepticism. Many coaches didn’t have formal training; it was more experience, or personality-drive. There was a perception that coaching was a form of therapy or mentoring, the boundaries weren’t always clear.

The New World of Coaching

Life coaching has evolved so much over the last decade. This has been driven by technology, social trends, and shifting cultural values. Coaching sessions are now conducted over zoom and other messaging apps, which make a coach accessible to much wider audience.

Now, we have organisations like the Association for Coaching (AoC), European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF) who have more influence, and do a fantastic job in applying standards and ethical boundaries towards the profession, and certification is more expected by clients.

The fast-paced lives which we all have can be overwhelming, so the ‘old school’ style and mindset towards “coaching” has now been replaced by a more scientific approach with regards its understanding. It has now been converted into a forward-thinking process to support an individuals self-development, and has opened the door to a new world of opportunity, as clients are looking for specific guidance rather than general motivation.

So while coaching has had grown and expanded to meet the modern day demands, some coaches classify themselves into certain types of specialities or niches, while many have remained generic in terms of their categorisation. Both work well providing it suits the needs of the client.

Examples of a Coaching ‘Niche’

Life Coach

Getting unstuck in life in general, finding direction, purpose and a positive way forward.

Transformational Coach

Wanting radical change, an undoing of deep-seated habits to rewire for complete positive change.

Alcohol-Free Performance Coach

Helping people to reach their full potential by transforming their relationship with alcohol.

Health and Wellbeing Coach

To find new ways forward and to reframe practice to improve levels of health and wellbeing.

Educational Coach

To ensure positive progress through a learning process.

Executive and Leadership Coach

To improve performance at work, often during times of turbulence and change.

Internal Coach

Companies employ their own ‘internal’ coach to support employees within and across their own company.

Peer Coach

Coaching support provided by a peer (triads).

Career Coach

To find a positive way forward vocationally and to develop a successful career. It is worth adding that coaching is now seen as a strategic advantage rather than a luxury.

Why I Could be The Ideal Coach For YOUR Revolution

My working career spans over 28 years, I started as a Laboratory Technician in a steelworks based in Sheffield. I progressed into Management positions and have been in leadership positions for over 15 years.
During this time, I have experienced many great times, but also times when it has been very challenging, and this can impact you in many ways. I never had a mentor or coach, but I look back and can see that I could have progressed quicker, and to get to higher positions if had I had the mindset and knowledge on how to deal with the stresses and difficulties in front of me.

Each of the niches I have mentioned above have applied to me at various times, or will have benefited me in the long run.

If this resonates with you, or you would like to learn more about coaching and the benefits it can bring to you, please get in touch.
I would love you to take that crucial first step toward positive change by booking a complimentary Zoom discovery call.

This initial meeting gives me the opportunity to understand your unique needs, challenges, and aspirations, allowing us to create a tailored coaching plan that addresses your specific circumstances.