Life coaching has become a very popular field for people who want to avoid the corporate world and want to earn a comfortable income. This field is also attractive for young professionals who like socialization and want to help others. A good life coach must develop essential skills that can help them assist different clients and provide tailored services. Aside from different practical skills like planning and organization, a life coach should also possess a few essential traits. These traits include:
1. Compassion
It is difficult to be a life coach if you don’t have compassion and patience. Coaches must listen to their client’s problems, understand the underlying issues, and come up with an effective way to address these problems. That can’t happen if the coaches aren’t empathetic and compassionate. This profession requires a lot of emotional labour and it can quickly become exhausting for people who aren’t equipped to handle it. If you’re a naturally compassionate person and like to help people with difficult situations, you are more likely to become a successful life coach.
2. Ability to Listen
As mentioned before, coaches need to listen to their client’s concerns and problems before they can develop a solution for them. Successful coaches use active listening to get their clients to open up and trust them. Active listening shows your charge that you’re fully engaged in the conversation and are making note of everything they’re saying. If you’re a good listener, you can also better understand the nuances of the conversation. For example, it is easier to understand what the client is implying when they make a general observation.
The ability to listen and respond properly is one of the most essential life coaching skills you can develop. Fortunately, most coach training organizations will teach you how to develop active listening skills and implement them in your practice.
3. Assessing Body Language
Humans rely on non-verbal communication frequently. Sometimes their non-verbal gestures or expressions can tell you more about them than any words can. Assessing the client’s body language is an important aspect of life coaching as well. Most coaches will listen to the client’s words but also watch them discreetly to understand their micro-expressions and gestures. Watching makes it easier to ask guiding questions, which can help you better your understanding of the client’s issues.
For example, a client may make an observation about a team member or a relative that sounds innocent on the surface but you can see displeasure written all over their features. You can then ask how and why the individual in question is holding the client back. Many clients are hesitant to convey their thoughts openly.
4. Ability to Communicate
Listening to the client and understanding their body language isn’t enough. You need to make sure you can convey your thoughts, observations, and ideas clearly. Poor communication and misunderstandings can alienate or offend the client, which can have an impact on your reputation as well. If you want to be successful at life coaching, you need to convey your solutions clearly and precisely.
Many new life coaches struggle with this aspect of the profession, especially when they are just starting a coaching service. Fortunately, there are several training courses available to help you sharpen your communication skills.
5. Networking Skills
Networking is an important part of running a life coaching business. This profession relies heavily on building connections and capitalizing on word-of-mouth promotion. Most coaches expand their client base with the help of their existing clients. For example, if you help a high-profile clients with their issues and get them back on the right track, they will be happy to recommend your services to their connections.
Life coaches also need to participate in seminars, industry events, public speaking events, and more. Without the right networking skills, you will have fewer opportunities and that will have an impact on your career.
If you have or develop all of these characteristics, it will be easier for you to run a successful life coaching business. Great coaches have great personalities and can connect with clients quickly. They establish a bond of trust that helps clients follow their advice. Coach training organizations like Evercoach by Mindvalley can help you develop the skills needed to set up a phenomenal life coaching practice.