The world can feel saturated in self-help tools, books, and resources. However, standing in the aisle at the library can leave anyone overwhelmed with the choices. The good news is that people in the self-held section are ready to reflect and invest in making changes. Although a self-help book can be inspiring, something life coaches offer that books don’t is a sounding board, an accountability partner, a guide, and so much more. The many roles of excellent life coaches require a special person with a heart for others, and this quality may be part of their DNA (although not scientifically proven). The best life coaches stand out among their peers because they seem to navigate complexities with confidence and ease. The heart of a life coach speaks loud and clear, which is why it is essential to have the training, background, and experience to genuinely help others. A few key characteristics that a life coach should possess include compassion, empathy, authenticity, and resilience.
Compassion as a Passion
Defined, compassion is sympathetic concern for another’s sufferings. The well-known company that sponsors children worldwide is named Compassion! Compassion is the energy to help others transform their lives, which is entirely possible with quality life coaching. Those with compassion foster a safe environment where clients can be vulnerable, and it is encouraged! Only in vulnerability are individuals able to gain confidence and face challenges while embracing changes that are part of the process. A compassionate life coach walks alongside clients, encouraging them and reminding them that they are not alone on this journey.
Empathy is Anything But Pathetic
As more people face the hardening of many cultural values and the drawing of strong lines in the sand, a life coach with empathy offers clients a genuine understanding of what they are experiencing and feeling. Only in a safe space, where a client trusts their life coach, can real growth occur. Personal growth is a key element of life coaching, and it only happens in a trusting relationship. Empathy is more than sympathy because it goes deeper and means the life coach is understanding on a heart level. A life coach who truly cares about the client can use their empathy to see the world through their client’s eyes and offer tailored support.
An Authentic Core
If there is one thing a client can sense immediately, it is whether a life coach is authentic. A person seeking a professional life coach to guide them will pick up on any insincere motives from their coach, which is why professional training in certifications are critical to elevate the services a life coach offers. Authenticity is the foundation of life coaching, and it is evident in the way they treat their clients. Communication, interactions, and support must be authentic every time. Only a genuine coach can clearly understand their clients’ experiences, values, and goals, and help guide them in a way that has a positive impact. No matter what a client is going through, if they trust their life coach and know they are authentic, they know they have someone who can guide them through. Let’s face it, some challenges people face during the course of life coaching can be life-changing, and a life coach needs to be equipped and prepared, and that begins with being authentically invested in coaching the client.
Personal Resilience
Many life coaches have faced their own personal challenges, which may have driven them to pursue a career in the field. It is often a coach’s own experience in overcoming challenges that provides them with insight into what their clients are going through. As clients face setbacks and obstacles, an experienced life coach can help them navigate, providing sound advice and inspiration to keep moving forward. Inner strength is what enables life coaches to confront their own struggles and apply what they have learned to help their clients. Often, knowing someone is by your side who understands and will not leave can be enough to encourage one to persevere.
To effectively connect with clients, a life coach must possess compassion, empathy, authenticity, and resilience. Having a background, training, and certifications not only equips professional life coaches but also shows the level of investment they are making to be the best for their clients. Many life coaches holding certifications secure corporate positions or find that they are so in demand that they can refer clients to a colleague. Although it has not been scientifically proven that life coaches have something in their DNA that makes them terrific, some characteristics must be at the heart of every life coach. Life Purpose Institute works with those dedicated to being exceptional in the field of life coaching and best helping their clients with the tools and training to get them where they want to go.
Contact Life Purpose Institute today for more information or sign up for a certification course and get started today!