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Should You Be A Coach?

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Published: 16Dec2009
Word count: 638
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Thinking of becoming a coach?

Perhaps you are just thinking of getting into the coaching profession and trying to determine if it is the right choice for you.

Have you ever said or thought to yourself things like: "coaching seems natural to me?" or, "In one way or another, I have been coaching all my life?" Or maybe, "People seem to turn to me and ask for help or advice?" Today's coaches have said the same things and feel the same way so you are in good company.

One of the reasons the profession has grown so rapidly is because it works. At some point, all of us need help to overcome challenges and support to keep going for what we are after. That is what coaches do, and coaching has proven to be very effective in helping clients create new results and improve their lives.

That's what makes being a coach so fulfilling. If you, like me, have a passion for learning and growing and helping, coaching might be the perfect career choice for you. You have an opportunity to be paid well for doing what you love to do while you make a great difference in the world.

So what else is there to think about. Why not just jump in now?

Now you are talking my language. I am a "jumping in" kind of a guy. When I find something I am passionate about I am able jump in and give it my all. If you bring your full passion and commitment to coaching your success is assured.

You will need some other things besides passion. You must be willing to develop your skills and be able to build trust and gain clarity and ask the right questions and empower your clients. Can you do those things? Of course you can. What you don't know you can learn - providing you make a commitment and invest your time and energy.

If you are thinking of coaching as a profession, you must also be willing to run a business, market yourself and have the discipline to be your own boss.

And finally, you need focus. It is well know in the industry that people who focus on a coaching niche or specialty and stick to it are most successful.

My coaching niche for more than a dozen years has been emotional intelligence. it is a great niche. I have specialized in coaching leaders to develop self awareness and self- management skills to be able to be authentic and positively influence others. I have been very well paid while I have had the pleasure of coaching leaders in large and small companies that include: Allstate Insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Boeing, Eli Lilly, Healthways, IBM, NPR, Northrop Aviation, Payless Shoes, Pfizer, Social Security Administration, St Mary's Hospitals, University of Southern CA, US Department of Labor, the US Postal Service, and the US Army. Fun and interesting work, eh!

I originally started studies in emotional intelligence for my own growth in the early '80s and was able to capitalize on that special knowledge and experience in coaching.

What special knowledge and experience do you have? It is something you would get pleasure out of sharing? Maybe that is your coaching specialty. If not build on what you know and/or get training in what you are interested in. Maybe it's emotional intelligence, maybe it is parenting or maybe career development. Let your passion lead you.

I have a coach that coaches me on marketing and another that coaches me on performance. They are great and their excitement for what they do motivates me.

Should you be a coach? If you answered yes to the questions I asked and you have passion, go for it. The world needs help and you are just the person to give it!

Joseph Liberti is author of Coaching Emotional Intelligence the book that tells you what you need to know, have and do to be a confident, competent and successful emotional intelligence coach. It's a great starting place for HR Pros, internal coaches, counselors or those thinking about becoming a life or business coach. Subscribe to his coaching news and tips newsletter at http://eqcertification.com and get a free book sample and audio recording.

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