Why do you need a coach?

The figure of coaching as we know it dates back to the middle of the 20th century, and was first attributed to interpersonal sports training. W.T. Gallwey wrote a book in 1970 titled “The Inner Game of Tennis,” influenced by his time at Harvard University as a tennis coach. Gallwey pointed out that the game consisted of two parts: the outer game that is played against an opponent and an inner game, focused on the player’s mind where it is played against obstacles such as lack of concentration, nervousness, self-doubt , for example. 

The role of the sports coach is to move the player forward in these two scenarios. Given the success observed in this area, the figure of the coach has been taken to serve as a guide in personal and professional aspects.

One of the fundamental principles of professional coaching today is to help maintain the balance between the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional self as the way to be the best version of oneself. 

Withmore notes that “Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them learn rather than teaching them.”

Under normal circumstances, the role of coaching is relevant, as it helps people unlock their full potential and achieve many of the goals they have dreamed of achieving in their personal and professional life.

Importance of coaching

There are many benefits of going through a coaching process. For example, on a personal level, according to Diane Garza, Executive Coach and CEO of iCatalyze, “coaching increases personal awareness and helps to sustain it to develop our potential; it helps us to:

1. Set and achieve SMART goals;
2. Become more aware that we do not know everything and to see failure as an opportunity;
3. Improve our personal relationships;
4. Manage a life change and
5. Become more intentional.

On a professional level, people can also benefit greatly from working with a coach, Diane Garza shares that coaching “can help you 

1. Develop hard and soft skills;
2. Learn strategies for time management and prioritization;
3. Increase your visibility and leadership presence;
4. Improve your relationships and influence;
5. Overcome obstacles and solve problems;
6. Be more self-confident, an aspect related to confidence and self-esteem and even feel more motivated ”.

The perfect moment to get coaching

As we navigate this “new normal” with changes affecting our personal and professional life, the figure of a coach becomes even more important. We now need to create or regain stability, manage complex relationships, our personal and work environment, and ultimately ourselves. 

The Harvard Business Review reported that “the pandemic caused a lack of clarity about the roles of the team. Fading interpersonal connections, coupled with overwhelming workloads, are leading to low morale. These drivers create tensions between leaders and their teams.” Leaders must work harder to build a bridge between remote team members. They need to actively support team members. Coaching is a fundamental vehicle to develop some of the most important leadership skills required for these times.

On a personal level, the situation is no different, since our social relationships were impacted. As we begin to reconnect and reimagine how we interact, it is necessary to rethink with what tools and in what scenarios we can develop socially, personally and professionally. In a way, we get a chance to start fresh, only this time it’s a remastered version after having learned from the pandemic, and accompanied by a professional.