What Is Your Coaching Confidence Like?

 

How confident are you as a coach, really?

Not the kind of confidence that needs to be seen but the quieter, internal kind that shows up when a client goes off-script, sits in silence or brings something you didn’t expect.

Confidence Isn’t About Having All the Answers

For me, coaching confidence has very little to do with knowing what to say.

It’s about three things:

• trust in yourself
• deep commitment to your client’s growth
• genuine belief in the coaching process

They take time to grow, can’t be rushed and you can’t fake them.

So how do you develop them?

 

Confidence Is Built Through Practice and Support

Like any skill coaching confidence grows through practice.

You get to be a great coach by coaching!

And when that is backed up with supported reflective practice through Coach Mentoring, supervision, being part of a peer coaching group and continuing to grow and develop your coaching skills, the confidence follows.

I’ve spent years doing all of that- rigorous training, working with a coach mentor, having supervision, continuing to develop my skills and a doing a lot of coaching.

Becoming an ICF Master Certified Coach didn’t suddenly make me confident but it did deepen my trust in my ability to stay present, listen deeply and work effectively with whatever a client brings.

And still, qualifications alone don’t make a confident coach.

 

Confidence is about How You Show Up

Confidence is also about how you approach the coaching relationship.

When you work with humility, recognising that every client is unique and has amazing potential, it helps you to work in partnership rather than being in fixer mode.

It is rooted in authenticity. When you show up as your genuine self, bringing empathy, compassion and vulnerability to every coaching session you invite your clients to do the same. This creates a deep sense of connection and trust.

Coming with an open mind and being willing to learn from your clients helps to create a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges, dreams and aspirations.

When you believe in your clients’ innate wisdom and potential it allows you to hold space for your clients’ growth, even in the face of uncertainty or resistance.

By asking powerful questions, actively listening and staying focused on the clients’ needs, you can be flexible in your approach and meet them where they are.

You allow the work to unfold rather than forcing it.

 

Staying Grounded When Coaching Gets Challenging

Coaching isn’t always smooth or comfortable. There are challenges, moments of doubt, resistance and not knowing.

But when your commitment is to the client rather than to getting it right, confidence becomes steadier and more resilient. Each experience strengthens your ability to stay present and trust the process, even when the path isn’t obvious

 

Trusting the Coaching Process

Underpinning all of this, for me, is a deep belief in the power of coaching itself.

From my own experience and that of the hundreds of clients I have coached over the years I  believe passionately in the transformative power of coaching, knowing that profound change can happen when people are given the support they need. I feel profoundly grateful to work in partnership with my clients to help them create awareness, deal with challenges and flourish.

 

My invitation for You

Here are some questions for you to pause and think about what your coaching confidence is like right now.

How Confident Are You as a Coach?

• What do you trust in yourself as a coach?
• Do you trust your training and the experience you’ve built over time, even when a session doesn’t go quite as planned?
• Do you trust the coaching process enough to stay present when you don’t yet know where the conversation is heading?
• Do you trust your own authenticity and your willingness to keep learning, refining, and stretching as a practitioner?
• Do you allow yourself to fully believe in the difference coaching can make for individuals, organisations, and wider communities, or do you sometimes downplay it?

When you sit with those questions, what do you notice?

 

For me, coaching confidence is rooted in purpose and in a genuine love for the work itself.

It’s not about being finished or having it all figured out. It’s about staying curious, remaining open and continuing to grow.

That’s why, even after all these years, I still find this work as meaningful and absorbing as ever.

Until next time,

Cath

P.S. Developing real grounded coaching confidence is a big part of my ICF Accredited Coach Development and Mentoring Programme. If you’d like to have a chat about how it can help you be a more confident coach then click here to schedule a call.