FALSE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT COACHING

When it comes to learning a new field and developing the skills to become competent in that field, what do you expect? What would you expect about becoming a skilled psychotherapist? How much study and over how many years would you expect? How about a skilled lawyer? What about a skilled coach?

What’s deceiving about coaching is that it uses the communication skills that we use in everyday talk. And when you listen to a skilled coach, it often seems like “he is just talking.” And that can lead to a very inadequate conclusion, “I could do that.” Well, yes you could do that once you are trained to know what to do and how to do it. But, no you can not do it as the professional coach can right now. “But it looks so easy, so natural; you are just asking questions and being supportive, that’s all. Anyone could do that.” Ah, that’s the delusion.