Your level of coaching performance depends on numerous factors, including integrity, mindset, intention and skills. There are also many potential pitfalls you will want to avoid. Borrowing freely and translating loosely from the vocabulary of psychology, here are some coach “neuroses” you may want to keep on your radar.

3 Neuroses commonly affecting coaching performance in new coaches

1) Narcissism–I’m not talking about staring at yourself in the mirror here. I’m talking about being so worried about your coaching performance that your focus stays on yourself instead of on your client. Stop thinking about yourself. Shift your focus to helping your client and you will perform far more effectively as a coach.

2) Inferiority complex–You can’t afford to have one as a coach. Coaching requires you to be the leader in your sessions, even if sometimes that means you let your client feel superior. You may butt up against your upbringing in terms of politeness, respect for your elders, or admiration for the accomplishments of your client. None of that matters when you need to challenge or shock your client to get them the result they want. So get over yourself and strengthen your coaching performance!

3) Obsession–Being obsessed with endlessly gaining knowledge and information can be a trap for new coaches. Of course you never stop learning, but you can’t know everything and you probably know enough to start. If you get caught up in trying to learn the huge amount of information which is available about coaching before you even start to coach, you never will start.

2 Conditions which can affect coaching performance in experienced coaches

1) Blind spots–When you’ve coached a lot of clients, it’s possible to fall into patterns and comfortable ways of doing things. Sometimes that can make it hard to access or try a different approach to a client’s problem, even when one is needed. Keep learning, keep an open mind, and have a coach to help you expand and improve your coaching performance.

2) Egotism–No matter how much experience and success you have as a coach, be careful not to let your ego run out of control. Confidence plays a big part in your coaching success, but over-confidence can cause poor judgment in your coaching, in your choice of clients, and in your business, and poor relationships within your coaching community.

To learn more about how to generate an endless wave of high paying coaching clients, get your FREE Instant Access to our “Life Coaching Business Blueprint” video toolkit when you go HERE.

Dorine G. Kramer
JTS Advisors Strategy and Accountability Coach