The Real Reason Coaching Makes You Uncomfortable
I’ve met many people who simply have a blank stare when I say that I coach executives for a living. Questions arise such as: “What’s that then?”, “What, like a sports coach?”, “So, you tell people how to do stuff?”, “Hmmm … coaching…”. Some of these reactions come from a place of genuine curiosity and some from a more sceptical position.
Now, I know coaching is not for everyone, and I’m certainly not on a mission to ‘turn’ the sceptics — we’ve spoken before about how coaching has a bit of a Marmite reputation — I sometimes wonder, though, whether there is something deeper going on behind the sceptics’s view.
Harsh reality or simple truth?
Could it be that the real reason coaching makes some of us uncomfortable is because on some level we know it will involve facing our reality — really facing it? For many people this is incredibly difficult (which is perfectly understandable).
Coaching does involve facing up to things and yes, this can be painful, but ultimately it is both deeply rewarding and very powerful, for it is only from this place of knowing that we can truly take authentic action.
If the thought of working with a coach makes you feel uncomfortable, simply sit with this discomfort for a while, pay attention to where it comes from; ask what you may need to learn, and then ask yourself, ‘Am I operating from a place of fear or a place of faith?’
You are operating from a place of fear if you’re constantly being too hard on yourself, if you’re extremely sensitive to criticism, if you find yourself forever living in the past (or the future), and if you never feel ‘ready’ to take action.
On the other hand when you’re operating from a place of faith, your experience of the world is completely different. You actively seek and explore new opportunities. You have an inner knowing that everything will be ok. You are not naïve, rather you experience life with eyes wide open.
Working with a coach is a very personal choice. Only you know if it is the right option for you. Operating from a place of faith enables us to make better, wiser, more empowering decisions and coaching can help us build internal faith quickly and more readily.
Do you feel uncomfortable about coaching? Perhaps you were once a sceptic and a coaching experience has changed your mind.
Tania Watson is the founder of Creative Coaching and an executive coach, organisational consultant and leadership specialist. Creative Coaching is a successful company dedicated to the development of senior leaders in organisations through one to one coaching, intact team development and group facilitation. If you or someone from your organisation would like to have a no obligation conversation about how Creative Coaching may be able to help, please email Tania directly at tania@twcreativecoaching.com.
