Are you a new or aspiring Christian coach? Here are ten helpful tips to get you started on your coaching journey.
- Coach, coach, coach. Nothing improves one’s coaching business more than gaining real-time experience. Even if you take only a very nominal fee for your services, try to get as many paid hours as possible as quickly as possible.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to participate in every coaching conversation. When He inspires you to tell the client something, do so.
- Get a mentor coach. Consulting an experienced mentor coach is the surest way to avoid typical traps and pitfalls.
- Don’t tell people what coaching is, tell them what coaching does. “When I coach people, they become more _____, and less _____.”
- Get a credential. Your skill becomes easily recognizable when you have industry approval.
- Use tools sparingly. An assessment tool will only present a snapshot. Good coaching will bring out the client’s inner thoughts.
- Have a personal code of conduct. Know the standards for good ethical conduct and write out a document which will explain how you will be fair, and integral.
- Watch your cash flow. Know when, where, and why your money is leaving and regularly compare the outflow to the inflow.
- Join a coaching fellowship group. Stay connected. Rubbing shoulders with like-minded professional is a good way to improve your coaching awareness and make valuable contacts.
- Avoid naysayers. Focus on what is “true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse” (Philippians 4:8, The Message). Keep such things on your mind.
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