Being Fearless as a Coach
I run developmental Coaching Circles for graduates of my Coach Development and Mentoring Programme.
One of the elements that we considered in our session this week was “Being Fearless as a Coach” and it led to a really interesting discussion.
I wonder what comes up for you when you read “Being Fearless as a Coach” ?
Fearless gets mentioned a lot, especially in coaching and leadership circles.
But what does it look like in coaching?
Being Fearless and Bold.
As coaches, we’re here to be in service of our clients and real service often means being bold and fearless.
I’ve mentored so many coaches who are brilliant but hold back because they’re afraid of getting it wrong.
Who are afraid of being too much for their clients or not being good enough.
Who second-guess themselves…..
“What if I mess this up?”
“What if they don’t like my question?”
“What if I get it wrong?”
They don’t want to challenge their clients too much, or back off because they start to feel uncomfortable.
And I get it but one of the best shifts I ever made in my own coaching was realising: it’s not about me.
The minute I stopped making it about me, about getting it right, or being a great coach and focused on being in service of my client that’s when everything opened up and I found the courage to be fearless.
Being Fearless doesn’t mean being perfect
Being perfect actually gets in the way of great coaching because that’s not what our clients need.
They need us to be real, present, and willing to hold space for whatever shows up.
Being fearless as a coach is not about being reckless or provocative for the sake of it.
- It’s about being deeply present, listening beyond the words, and trusting ourselves enough to follow our intuition — even when it feels risky.
- It’s asking the question that might make your client uncomfortable because you know it could lead to a breakthrough.
- It’s holding the silence when your instinct is to fill it, because you know the silence is where the shift often happens.
- It’s being willing to lean into discomfort — ours and the client’s — because we know that’s where the potential for growth lies.
For when we show up fearless, we give our clients permission to do the same.
Being Fearless is sometimes quiet.
It’s not always the big bold challenge or dramatic question.
Sometimes it’s holding a pause for just a few seconds longer.
Being comfortable with the not-knowing.
Letting go of the need to have the “right” question and allowing the moment to unfold.
Being Fearless is trusting yourself
Being fearless is also about trusting yourself as a coach.
- Trusting that you can handle whatever comes up.
- Trusting that your client is resilient and resourceful.
- Trusting that curiosity, presence and partnership will create the the space for powerful new insights.
Being Fearless is about growth and development
Being fearless is also about our own growth and development as coaches.
It’s about being willing to to receive feedback; to be mentored; to look at our blind spots and ask ourselves honestly……
- “Where am I holding back?”
- “Where am I playing it safe?”
- “Where am I more concerned with being liked than being useful?”
So, if you’re reading this and thinking, “I know I’m playing it safe sometimes,” good. That’s great awareness.
And my invitation to you
is to consider the following:
- What would being a little more fearless look like for you in your next coaching conversation?
- What might you say or ask if you didn’t play it safe?
- What might you explore if you gave yourself full permission to serve, rather than please?
because being fearless as a coach is about focusing on our clients’ growth, clarity and transformation and that’s where coaching mastery lies.
And I’ll leave you with a question…
How fearless are you willing to be?
Until next time,
with best wishes
Cath
P.S. if you want fresh ideas to refine your practice, spark new insights, and support your clients more effectively then sign up for my free Coaching Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox every week.