Being coached leads to coaching

A little-known fact is that many people have trained to become an executive coach after being coached. And another little-known fact is that the majority of executive coaches continue to receive coaching after they are qualified. I became a coach after being coached. I am qualified and I am coached, and I hope giving you some insight into the 3 things I love about being coached will explain why.

For over 25 years I’ve been an engineer. I’ve solved problems for organisations, for teams, for people. I’ve also solved my own problems, which have typically arisen from the projects I have been working on. A few years ago, I hit a bump. I was trying to solve one of my problems, and I kept going round in circles.

I simply couldn’t answer the question. I tried all my techniques, all my know how, all of my logic. I just couldn’t answer it! Finally, after several months of driving her insane, my amazing and long-suffering wife suggested executive coaching. Rachel, for tis her name, had received coaching as part of her role and could see the potential benefits for me.

I know that a significant number of people that read this post will have never been coached. At best, many readers will have been mentored and not experienced the points I am presenting. But I hope these points provide some insight into what to expect from being coached – well. I also know that in different parts of the world mentor and coach can be interchanged, even have their meaning reversed. Here I am referring to the UK definitions of the words.

I’ve detailed the 3 things I love about being coached in chronological order; the order I feel they happen in a coaching session. Needless to say, there are many more things I love about being coached, these are just the three cornerstones that I’ve never found anywhere outside of executive coaching.

1) Slow and steady

The first thing I love about being coached is the environment. When I first started being coached, I used to arrive for a face-to-face meeting exactly on the hour, with the engine on my car on fire (metaphorically). I’d left a typically chaotic, often stressful online meeting at the very last minute and zoomed for my session. I’d cursed red lights. My brain had whirred for the 10-minute drive, pouring over the preceding meeting. I was anything but prepared for the session. Within 15 minutes after arriving, I was calm, had collected my thoughts, and I felt like I was a million miles away from work. I also had a stress cat sat on my lap – somehow Jacob knew I needed to unwind, and he provided some well needed therapy. 1) A coach should create a calm, steady, supportive environment from which you can relax and explore. You need to be free from the burden of day-to-day life.

2) Indulge yourself

The second thing I love about being coached is the focus is entirely on me. How often can you say that, really? I’ve solved other people’s problems for over 25 years but when I first started being coached, I was the focus. Little old me. How I felt, how I behaved, how I responded, how I could move forwards. To be honest, it took a few sessions to be able to indulge myself. When I finally did, it was a truly liberating experience. 2) a coach should keep the spotlight on you, and as you increase your self-awareness you realize you can do anything.

3) Different pathways

The third thing I love about being coached is discovering novel pathways. I can solve problems. I can answer questions. After a career of doing this, I have a well-trodden pathway to reach a sensible outcome. But what if the answer doesn’t lie on a well-trodden pathway? What if, for example, all of your techniques, know-how, and logic lead you to the same kind of solution, and that solution isn’t valid for this context. Over and over. Ad infinitum. Having a coach alongside you on your journey means you can discover different pathways. You can explore, together. 3) you are supported to discover the right, potentially new and deeper insights, and even begin to transform yourself.

I always try to book coaching sessions during my working day. The person that leaves is a different me than the person that entered the session! The sessions provide a sanctuary and no matter how I feel when I enter, I leave feeling focussed, relaxed, enlightened, and committed. I have new ideas and fresh actions to put to the test. That’s what I love about being coached and those three seemingly simple things.

These are the 3 things I love about being coached. If you are coached, I’m fascinated to know what your experience is like and what 3 things you love – just comment below.