Coaching is a very difficult profession that requires coaches not only to build a reputation in their niche, it also requires that they demonstrate the very highest principals when coaching others. The key attributes and skills demonstrated by the best coaches lie in helping individuals build relationships and to become leaders in their chosen field.
Building Relationships
Unlike many other jobs, coaches have to have an absolute mastery of relationship-building skills. Good relationships which are a complex set of interactions, often between very different types of people can maximize the effectiveness of good communication. And coaches realize that as they begin working to enhance the lives of others, it all begins and end with good relationships.
Relationships are built over time, and good coaches understand that the process is a series of interactions with an individual that will develop trust, respect and mutual understanding. Relationships, like leadership, are not a “top/down” process. For many years, our culture has stressed this top/down hierarchical organization. At work we are used to having an authoritarian boss; at home there has often been a sole breadwinner and decision maker.
This type of relationship is counterproductive in the modern environment and has become out-dated. Modern research into effective relationships at home and at work is based around an understanding of mutual respect and bridge building. The process is often studied in terms of business dynamics, but it is also being applied to other types of relationship.
The Qualities of Leadership
A coach is essentially a leader. Again leadership is often a very misunderstood concept. Modern studies of leadership denounce the traditional method of authoritarian leadership … pointing out that it often stifles personal and group growth the very thing that personal coaching attempts to increase. As such a coach must understand leadership in its modern form.
Leadership is often seen as a “bottom/up” process that relies on a person being able to engender a vision in the mind of others, and to motivate them to invest their time and energy in realizing this vision. And good leaders will have a variety of motivational techniques that emphasize the importance of the individual contributions made by their peers. Coaches always strive to engender the “can do” attitude in individual’s who often shift the burden of learning and development squarely onto the shoulders of others.
A coach is a facilitator, and gives others the necessary skills for self-achievement. A great mind exercise is to think about a sports coach. The position of coach is not about being able to run the fastest, nor is it about being able to complete passes: All successful coaches in any field enable others to achieve their goals by providing the necessary tools, training, and motivation.
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