When someone asks, “What is a Life Coach?”, what’s the usual answer? As coaches we help our clients achieve specific, measurable results. Through an ongoing coaching relationship, clients learn how to produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, and businesses. We help people improve their performance and quality of their life.

 

But more specifically, what IS a life coach? Here are five different types of coaches. Which are you?

 

• Consultant – The consultant provides advice or information that the client doesn’t already know. AND they provide it in a way that the client can put it to use toward achieving their goals.

   

• Guru – The guru provides confidence. The guru is in the public eye, has a following, and others look up to them. They have a lot of social status, so when they give advice, people take it. They know it’s going to help them, because the advice came from the guru.

   

• Friend – This type of coach is able to listen, provide empathy, and be a sounding block for the client.

   

• Strategist – These are the coaches who are great at providing planning and time management. They may not have all the details, but if you bring them the information, they’ll help you turn it into an effective plan.

   

• Leader – These coaches provide accountability and tough love. They make sure that you do what you need to do, to get the results you want.

 

All these coaching styles provide value, but most people are best at 1-3 of these. And the good news is, you don’t have to be everything to everyone. Focus on which styles are most in line with your personality. Force yourself to narrow it down, and focus your marketing and sales delivery in a way that people will know what to expect and how you are going to deliver results. Now, when you are asked, “What is a life coach?” you can share it way that will paint a more detailed picture of what you have to offer.

 

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Accountability Coach