The Top 7 Coaching Myths

By Career Coaching is a relatively new area for most people, and this can lead to misconceptions about the subject. To help you understand the coaching activity better, here are some myths about coaching that can give you a better perspective.

1. Coaching is the same at training or teaching, just another name!

While many people have been using the term coaching and teaching/training interchangeably, there are not one and the same. Coaching is about facilitation, where the coach helps individuals to learn or perform by themselves. Coaching is more like a sounding board, providing feedback when required. Coaches help individuals explore possibilities. Teachers focus on passing the knowledge to students, and make them understand the subject. Trainers enable individuals with certain skills, using their expertise - typically through hands-on and classroom sessions.

2. Coaching is a time consuming activity!

This is not necessarily true. The duration of coaching depends on the need of the individual. Coaching sessions can be as short as 30 minutes, where a specific problem is discussed and the coach helps the individual to arrive at a suitable solution. However, it can be quite longer, if it is to do with a behavioral transformation. Sportspersons can engage coaches throughout their career to help them perform better. At GetCoached.in we have had coaching sessions from 45 minutes to 2 hours. in a few cases (esp. for mock interviews), individuals needed a second session to develop that extra confidence in themselves.

3. Coaching is expensive!

It is possible that some coaches may charge you Rs. 2000/- or more for a single session. Some coaching service providers require you to take a coaching "package" which is upwards of Rs. 5000/-. However, you don't have to worry about that at GetCoached.in Our fees are very reasonable, considering the target audience and the fact that such a service is a relatively new concept for most people. As you would realize, a family visit to the cinemas or an hour spent consulting a doctor is likely to cost you more than a 1 hour session through GetCoached.in! This is besides the fact that the guidance from the coach is going to directly help you in your job and overall career progression!

4. The Coach needs to have industry specific and technical expertise in my area to guide me

This statement would be true if you are thinking about a specialist trainer or technical consultant for your technical area or domain. However, a coach does not need to be from your field. He/she needs to understand you as a person, provide you with possibilities or options, and help you take your decisions and plan for the future. Consider this: If you are having a particular issue for which you need help from a coach, it is very likely that the same issue would be faced by others from different domain and technical backgrounds. In such cases, the focus is the ability to address the issues, and not the technical or industry background.

5. If I discuss my issues with the coach, it will be known to others!

If you trust a doctor for your health issues, lawyer for your legal issues, and a CA for your tax matters you can also trust a coach with your work related issues. A primary principle in coaching is confidentiality. Without this, it is difficult for any coach to win the trust of the clients. At GetCoached.in, your name and your specific issues will not be shared or discussed with anyone else. Believe it, coaches have nothing to gain, and only stand to lose, if they were to disclose confidential information.

6. Coaching is only meant for people with problems / issues!

While many individuals approach coaches with their problems, there are many others that seek help of coaches to create new possibilities / alternatives / options. Coaching is about making your life better, and making you more successful. While it does help to have a goal to chase, coaching can also help you to identify your goals and work with you to help you plan for your progress.

7. If I am meeting a coach, it may seem that there is something wrong with me!

A lot of individuals get this as their first feeling when they are offered coaching - Am I a poor performer? Am I not capable of finding my own way? Rest assured, coaching is not meant for poor performers only. Coaching provides you a mirror, a different perspective to understand yourself better. Coaches help people to perform better, irrespective of their current performance levels. While you may be capable of finding your own way forward, there are chances that you may take more efforts to do so, or take a longer route. That is where the coach can help. Many organizations hire external coaches for their top performers, as a form of reward. At the same time, a tremendous improvement is seen when coaching is provided for under performers.