Reflecting on years of work with coaches at all stages of development, I can say that confidence bubbles up in a variety of contexts. I have compiled a list of some of the most common that bubble up to the surface for coaches.
The statements are in the first person, so feel free to “hear” these sentences in your mind with you being the “me” or the “I” in the sentences. Saying them out loud is even better. Feel what you feel, think what you think, then read the descriptions, and then rate yourself from 1-5 in the following areas which are commonly explored and developed:
I am confident in “me” as a coach. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident This is personal, intimate and invisible. Inner dialogue and narratives often lead coaches to doubt their competence and capability. This can vary from client to client, as each client is a different context. Most coaches will say that they need to practice more. This is a lovely remedy which, in most cases, does not work. What seems to help is an exploration with a supervisor or coach who is capable in helping them explore their narratives, values, beliefs, and assumptions. In our Certificate in Professional Coaching Mastery Stage 2 programme we help coaches navigate their own narratives in service of improving in this area and also enabling them to work with others.
I am confident in “me” as a coach. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
I am confident in the process of coaching. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
This is slightly more accessible to the conscious mind and often evolves over time as the coach becomes more experienced in coaching and being coached. This is why we have firm commitment to coaches being coached on their learning journey. They need to experience the process and see the value in the focused structured conversations which take place over time. They also need to reflect on their practice in Mentor Coaching and/or Supervision and expose themselves to the value of the coaching process. The process of coaching creates value over time.
I am confident in the process of coaching. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
I am confident in the value of the relationship and my “presence” as a coach. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
This is once again very personal and variable from client to client. This has to do primarily with the value that is created from a client “being with you”. This is about the space we create, the consistent level of psychological safety, and our aspirations to be coaches who nourish and cultivate a transformational way of being.
I am confident in the value of the relationship and my “presence” as a coach. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
I am confident in my client. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
This is an area of exceptional interest and challenge. It pertains to the extent to which we trust our clients. A lack of confidence can appear as overhelping, parental behaviours, worries, anxiety, control, assuming accountability, managing, not challenging, and unbelief. Often these are habitual ways of thinking and feeling which are a part of what makes the coach good at what they do and also less good at empowering and developing others. We often explore the subtle ways in which a lack of confidence in a client causes us to become less resourceful as coaches and assume our clients are less resourceful. In many cases, clients “don’t come back” if they fail to feel like they are trusted. And in other cases, clients are skilled at helping and activating this response in others including their coach. Coaches need to become aware and skillful in these cases as well.
I am confident in my client. 1 = Not so confident to 5 = Confident
This simple reflection and self-assessment is designed to create some level of what we like to call “actionable self-awareness”. Is there one or more of these that may be useful to explore? We would love to help you do just that.
At Transcend, we are in the business of supporting coaches to be profoundly effective in their work with clients.
Our coach development interventions are not only about knowledge and skill transfer but much more strongly focused on “you” becoming the coach who is able to bring something meaningful to the world through your coaching.
