Thus far in my coaching journey, I have learned a lot, swum in uncharted waters; and yet, somewhere, I am still stuck at the start….. So, here is my beginning!

Before signing up for the coach training program; my frantic questions to the mentor coach were somewhat along these lines, “Am I a fit candidate to be a coach given my age, background etc? Post- training, will I be able to develop a career in that field? Will I face credibility issues given that I do not have career history?” Short of crystal-ball gazing; the mentor coach was pretty encouraging and sign up I did!

The news evoked reactions. “Wow! You are always trying to do something new,” was one back-handed compliment! “Go for it,” cheered most. But the consistent concern was, “What kind of coach are you going to be?”

Interestingly, the question that should have (by me as well) but never got asked was – Why do you want to become a coach?  Agreed that the answer evolves over time but some introspection at the outset helps shape the perspective towards coaching and everything it entails. For more insights, I posed this query to my mentors and peers, and here is what they said…

@“I got into coaching, because I like making a difference in people’s lives, be it small or big. The feeling, that you were a small part of their life and could be there when they needed someone, is amazing and very fulfilling.”

@“I got into coaching because I saw that in conversations with the coachee I started to find answers to some of my issues and it was a beautiful experience.”

@“I was already coaching my team as a part of my job so thought of learning a structured way and getting a formal certification.  I used to love the impact that I could make on people whenever I had one on one sessions with them and that encouraged me further to take it up.”

@ “I chose to be a coach because it arouses my curiosity, is deeply stimulating emotionally and intellectually and I find myself in connect with myself during coaching. Professionally it can be highly fulfilling and provides me various opportunities to express myself.”

@“My coaching journey began after I personally experienced the benefit of coaching  Every time I see a coachee’s eyes light up over a moment of realization / understanding / getting an answer to his or her issue, I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

@“I sincerely feel that a coaching conversation is powerful!”

@“I feel happy when people find their answers!”

Not surprisingly, my thoughts on this topic echo many of the sentiments expressed, although at this stage in my coaching story I cannot make any tall claims! What I can confidently affirm, though, is the transformative power of coaching! So simply put, for me the best is yet to be!

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