If you've ever wondered what it takes to be a coach, you're in the right place. And listen, I’m not going to sugarcoat this with feel-good motivational talk from some cheap self-help book. Let’s get straight to the point. Being a coach isn't just about having a way with words or motivating others—no! It’s real work, requiring preparation, experience, and an intense commitment to improving other people's lives. But first, you need to get yourself in check. Yeah, let’s start with a little self-critique.
1. Self-awareness: Know yourself before helping others
The truth is, you can't help anyone if you don’t know yourself first. This means working through your own process of self-discovery, confronting your weaknesses, and pulling out the best version of yourself to stand strong. This is where meditation comes in—it’s not just a fad, it’s a powerful tool for understanding yourself and keeping a clear head. If you can't manage your own issues, how do you expect to help others?
2. Certification: Yes, training is required
You don’t just wake up one day and say, "I’m a coach!" Coaching, especially life or executive coaching, requires certification. There are plenty of institutions offering training programs. Some of the most recognized are the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and other schools that train you in different coaching disciplines. Don’t skip this step if you want to be taken seriously.
3. Real-life and business experience
I’ve worked with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and more, and let me tell you: this isn’t something you learn from a book or seminar. You have to be in the field. The lessons you share as a coach come from being in the trenches, making tough decisions, and learning from your mistakes. This is what gives you credibility, and this is what resonates with your clients. If you haven’t been in the game, it’s hard to guide someone else.
4. Communication skills: Be direct, clear, and to the point
Being a coach means being able to communicate effectively. Not only that, but the way you do it has to make an impact. I’m direct, I get to the point, but I also know when to throw in a joke to lighten the mood. Why? Because people don’t just remember what you say; they remember how you make them feel. So develop clear, direct communication that adapts to each situation.
5. Ability to deliver measurable results
This is crucial. If you don’t deliver results, you don’t have a business. And this is where many coaches fail: they stick to theory, good intentions, but don’t offer a concrete plan for their clients to improve. From my experience, if you don’t achieve measurable, tangible results, people will leave. It’s that simple.
6. A passion for helping others
If all you're thinking about is the money you can make as a coach, you’ll burn out fast. This is about service. You need to have a genuine passion for seeing others succeed, and that can’t be faked. People can tell. The best coaches are those who truly care about their clients’ success.
Do You Have What It Takes?
Being a coach isn’t for everyone. It’s for those willing to face their own challenges and then take on the responsibility of guiding others through theirs. If you're ready to do the work—both personal and professional—and commit to excellence, then you’ve got what it takes to be a coach who transforms lives.
And as I always say: “Success is simple, but not easy. If it were easy, everyone would achieve it.”
