A mentor can operate anywhere from 1 to 5. A subject matter expert usually they are.
A trainer, teacher, guide, counselor, and therapist also operate from a space of knowing and expertise.
Nothing wrong with it, even though much expertise in today's world is assumed. I spent 21 years in asset financing across functions and geographies. But knowledge is limited. It was also the pre-fintech/UPI/cryptocurrency era. And many more big shifts, like millennials dominating the workforce and Gen Z coming in large numbers at the entry level.
A coach is none of the above. A coach is between 5 & 6, a Guru. Though not a real "guru."
- A coach is not a subject matter expert. For example, even while working with a BFSI leader, I don't depend on my knowledge or experience in that realm. I consciously park aside the ego-based wisdom to work with the client, and co-create, in the true spirit of partnering.
- When a coach wears any other hat, s/he has conveniently forgotten the original assumption of coaching, "The coachee is complete and hence has all answers to problems/opportunities" that are part of coaching conversations.
- Hence, "Coaching is not a conversation or an engagement. It is a relationship."
- When a coach wears any other hat in a relationship, not just in a coaching conversation or coaching engagement, it is a clear violation of the coaching code of ethics. All coaching schools across the globe subscribe to the coaching code of ethics. When we give those 'tips,' ask a leading question, or camouflage a thought as an intuition... you are operating from a lower level of consciousness. "Coaching is about vibrating at a higher consciousness" for the client and the coach.
- A coach is genuinely curious and open to possibilities. Child-like curiosity is not easy, we forgot it long back! Not knowing and being comfortable with it is a big opportunity for all coaches to move from good2great coaching.
- A client often comes up with a symptom. A coach has the responsibility to look beyond; aligned with the larger purpose of the client. Coaching is transformational. We can start with a transactional goal. But it has to evolve to something bigger, holistic, and aligned with the purpose of the client.
- Even while working with the coachee to move from the current state to a more resourceful state, the coach is surrendering to the process and is open to manifest magic beyond the engagement goals. The goal of the engagement is very, very important. More important is what the coach becomes beyond the goals, we call it #ManifestMagic at
Regal Unlimited - The Coaching School for the World
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Be a real coach with your clients. Don't deviate and play any other role. That is the journey of a coach to a guru.
Professional coaching Coach training/certification/mentoring, Systemic Team Coaching, and Leader As Coach at Regal Unlimited are aligned with the highest possibilities of pure & classical coaching. The client is best served through that. It is not easy. But then, 'transformation is not easy. Ask the butterfly!'
