This chapter explores the intricacies of the life coaching industry, addressing common skepticism and misconceptions. Guest Megan Malone, an experienced coach, clarifies the differences between coaching, therapy, mentoring, and consulting, emphasizing the importance of ethical standards.
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Life coaching can be shrouded in confusion.
In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, I chat with Megan Malone, delving into the joys and challenges of coaching. Together, we dissect why some view it sceptically and explore avenues for life coaches to reverse the negative trends and misconceptions.
Megan is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coach and has a Master’s in Organisational Development. She sheds clear light on the nature of coaching and what to expect from working with a professionally accredited life coach.
It’s imperative to address these misconceptions because each of us should be in a position to make informed assessments about what we’re being sold in the name of coaching. For this we must foster greater awareness and comprehension of ethical practices.
Navigating the life coaching industry can be confusing, primarily due to its lack of regulation. Anyone can call themselves a coach without adhering to any particular standards. This ambiguity has sparked discussions calling for industry regulation to delineate more precise professional and ethical practices.
Nevertheless, organisations like the ICF provide clear guidance to affiliated practitioners. They mandate adherence to specific standards, ethics, and competencies. But for it to be truly effective, this type of voluntary self-regulation also requires a public awareness and understanding of what coaching is (and isn’t).
It is crucial to recognise how coaching differs from other helping interventions and understand its uniquely valuable purpose.
The Difference Between Coaching, Therapy, Mentoring, and Consulting
Coaching
Coaching is a pathway to attaining a specific outcome or desired future state. A coach acts as a partner, guiding clients to make decisions for themselves and designing an intentional course for personal or professional growth.
Therapy
Therapy and counselling focus on aiding clients in mental health recovery, processing past trauma, and healing emotional distress. They explore and address past pain that is hindering present and future well-being.
Mentoring
Mentoring is guidance, teaching, and advice from someone more experienced in a particular field or role. Having traversed a similar path, a mentor imparts wisdom and support, focusing on skill and knowledge acquisition.
Consulting
Consulting addresses specific problems, challenges, or goals. A consultant will often observe and analyse a situation so they can offer expert suggestions, recommendations, and strategies for a person or organisation to implement.
Why is Life Coaching Unregulated?
Coaching operates under the premise that clients are inherently whole and capable of making sound life decisions. The coach facilitates self-awareness through questioning and active listening, aiding clients in identifying obstacles, envisioning future desires, and formulating strategies for progress.
While regulated professions often require proven credentials, coaching’s focus on client responsibility and self-directed growth means it’s unlikely to become regulated. However, the rise of untrained coaches (and a wild west of coach training options) blurs the lines, with some assuming roles beyond their expertise, such as advising or diagnosing based solely on personal experience and interests.
ICF-affiliated training programs emphasise a coach’s role in guiding clients to find their own path rather than offering direct advice. This approach fosters motivation, reward, and confidence in clients’ decisions, challenging conventional notions of decision-making predicated on external validation.
In essence, coaching is an agreement entered into voluntarily by those who want to reach a desired future state. The partnership provides scaffolding to build momentum through change.
In our discussion, Megan and I delve into various aspects of coaching, including:
Red flags that might indicate an poorly trained coach
Parallels between life coach training programs and multilevel marketing
The potential for regulatory measures at the training level
Maintaining integrity while marketing oneself as a coach
Insights into the potential future trajectory of coaching
