Can you become a better leader? I used to be skeptical about leadership coaching, unsure of its nature and doubting its validity as a profession. My understanding of coaching was limited to the idea of searching for life’s purpose or being lost in life’s uncertainties.

However, my perspective shifted after experiencing my first coaching session. It was during this encounter that I discovered the essence and effectiveness of it, as well as the impact it had on my thinking process.

As humans, we often find ourselves fixating on our problems, endlessly ruminating and going in circles. We attempt to push away undesirable thoughts while simultaneously being consumed by them, unable to think of anything else.

Then, a coach enters the picture. Suddenly, you have someone who not only listens but also comprehends your words. Moreover, they guide you to reflect on what you have expressed, challenging your beliefs and encouraging a change in perspective.

Coach the person, not the problem

Marcia Reynolds, in her book “Coach the Person, Not the Problem,” captures this concept eloquently: “When we use reflective statements, we act as a dynamic mirror where clients can more objectively view their behavioral motivations and limiting beliefs.”

Such introspection is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve on our own. A coach becomes a dedicated partner, working alongside us to help us reach outcomes that we may have believed were unattainable.

In my view, the key to leadership coaching lies in creating an environment where clients can freely think and articulate their thoughts. When I, as a coach, reflect back what I have understood, it is not always about conveying the exact same message. But it is through this reflective dialogue that new thoughts emerge, making way for solutions and showing that there are, in fact, possibilities and not only problems.

Coaching (be it leadership or executive coaching) empowers individuals to break free from their mental confines and explore uncharted territories. It offers a safe space for growth, enabling clients to overcome challenges and achieve what they once was impossible to do.