And that’s not always a good thing.
My clients often tell me that working together feels like therapy.
I usually smile and clarify—it’s not therapy. However, it probably feels therapeutic because we’re engaging in the kind of deep, honest work that’s rare in most professional settings.
And lately, it seems like everyone I’ve talked to—or worked with—is either becoming a coach or thinking about it.
There’s the lawyer who’s tired of litigation and has been mentoring younger associates. He tells me he’s ready to become a leadership coach.
There’s the retired executive who admits he didn’t listen well during his corporate life—but now that he has time, he’s “all ears” and wants to coach leaders in his former industry.
Even a financial advisor working with high-net-worth families is offering coaching to help siblings and spouses get along more effectively.
When I ask what their approach to coaching would be, most are either dumbfounded or respond with something vague, like, “I just want to help people figure things out.” That’s when I know they haven’t thought it through.
Coaching isn’t a vibe or a fallback career. It’s a craft. And it requires a point of view.
courtesy Jamie Street-Unsplash
After 25 years of coaching and consulting across business, healthcare, and leadership settings, I’ve developed an approach that’s strength-based and competency-focused. That means I’m not just helping clients get through the moment—I’m helping them build the internal skills and strategic mindset to navigate what’s next, even when I’m no longer around.
Which brings me to this article I read over the weekend in The Athletic about Doug Baldwin, the former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver. He was skeptical of working with a “shrink dude,” until Coach Pete Carroll brought in Dr. Michael Gervais, a performance psychologist.
Baldwin didn’t know what to expect, but from the very first breathing exercise, he was in. Gervais helped Baldwin and his teammates unlock new levels of performance—not by discussing plays or stats, but by guiding them to work from the inside out.
Courtesy, Jamie Street-Unsplash
That’s what authentic coaching does.
Not just advice. Not just experience-sharing.
It’s structured, strategic, and centered around the client’s growth, not the coach’s résumé.
So, yes, everyone might want to be a coach.
However, not everyone is ready to do the work on themselves before trying to help others grow or even to get the professional training required.
If you’re exploring what’s next—whether as a leader, a coach, or someone navigating change—make sure you’ve done the inner work first. That’s where the fundamental transformation starts. And reach out to me if you’d like to discuss it further.
