If someone asked you what your coaching philosophy is, would you articulate it like a seasoned pro? Or would you scratch your head and say, "Umm, something about helping people?"
Don't worry if you're feeling a little lost. Most coaches have an underlying philosophy, even if they don't realize it. Getting clear on yours can be a game-changer for your practice.
Let’s look at what a coaching philosophy is, why you need one, and coaching philosophy examples that will help you create your own, totally-you approach to the work you love.
What is a coaching philosophy?
Your coaching philosophy is a set of beliefs and principles that shape how you approach your work. It’s like a compass that guides your practice.
Defining your coaching philosophy helps you clarify your role, become more intentional in your work, and even navigate processes like creating your coaching packages.
Why do I need a coaching philosophy?
Think of your coaching philosophy as your secret sauce. It's the invisible force that shapes everything you do as a coach.
The thing is, you already have one—whether you’re aware of it or not. And consciously defining that philosophy has major benefits for your coaching practice:
- Clarity and direction: As a coach, you juggle a lot of priorities at once. A solid coaching philosophy provides a clear framework to steer your choices and actions.
- Values alignment: It ensures your coaching stays true to what you believe in, making your work more rewarding.
- Effective communication: It helps you explain your approach in a way that resonates with clients, attracting the right people to your practice.
- Client-centered approach: It keeps your clients at the heart of your practice, ensuring you meet their needs and goals.
- Professional development: It helps you identify areas where you can improve and level up your coaching skills.
- Confidence and credibility: It boosts your belief in your abilities and helps you build trust with your clients. When they see confidence in you, they’ll feel confident in their decision to work with you.
- Differentiation: It makes you stand out from the crowd, helping you attract coaching clients who appreciate the unique way you do things.
Whether you share your philosophy with the world or keep it close to your chest is totally up to you. Either way, getting clear on your guiding principles will help you be more effective and efficient in your coaching practice.
Coaching philosophy vs. coaching style
Your coaching philosophy is your North Star. It's made up of your core beliefs and values, the stuff that really matters to you when it comes to your work. While your philosophy might change a bit as you grow and learn, it's still your trusty compass.
Your coaching style, on the other hand, is how you deliver your coaching and interact with clients. You might tweak your style a bit depending on each client's needs. Whether you’re super direct versus asking questions that help clients guide themselves to the right answer.
Your philosophy is the foundation, and your style is the flexible framework that lets you gauge how you deliver each session.
How to write your coaching philosophy: A step-by-step guide
Ready to unlock the power of your coaching philosophy? Let's get into it.
1. Do your research
Check out what other successful coaches in your niche are doing. Explore different coaching philosophy examples and see what vibes with you. Here’s where you can find them:
- Website: See their “About” or “Approach” page.
- Social media bio: These are usually a short and sweet summary of their approach.
- Their blog or guest posts: Many coaches discuss their philosophy in online articles.
- Podcasts or videos: Find interviews with your favorite coaches to learn about their perspectives.
At the very least, you’ll gain a few new insights into the art of coaching. Have fun with it!
2. Ask yourself the big questions
Now it's time for some deep introspection. Ask yourself these questions (and feel free to add your own):
- What's your vibe? What personal values do you bring to the table?
- What matters most? What really matters to you in your work?
- What's your mission? How do you want to make a difference in people's lives?
- Why coaching? Why did you become a coach in the first place?
- What drives you? What fuels your passion for helping others?
- How do you roll? Do you prefer to take charge (directive) or let clients lead the way (non-directive)?
- What do you believe? What do you think people are capable of? How do you see growth and learning happening?
Take your time with these questions. Let your thoughts flow freely and see what insights emerge.
3. Define your unique selling proposition (USP)
Your unique selling proposition sets you apart from your competitors. It’s a statement of what you do and who you do it for. Ask yourself:
- What's your edge? What makes you different from other coaches?
- What's your secret weapon? What's unique about your approach?
- What's your coaching DNA? How does your personal experience shape your practice?
Brainstorm some ideas and jot down some statements that capture your essence. Then get feedback from your colleagues, mentors, or trusted friends and use their insights to refine your statement. You want to find something that really lands with your audience.
4. Craft your coaching manifesto
Now it's time to create your coaching manifesto, a strong statement that captures the heart of your philosophy.
When it comes to writing your coaching manifesto, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Keep it clear and concise: Make sure your statement is to the point and easy to understand.
- Show, don’t tell: Use vivid language to paint a picture of your approach.
- Get feedback: Share your draft with a few trusted friends or clients to get their input.
- Be flexible: Remember, this living document can evolve and change along with you.
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Pro tip 💡Your coaching philosophy goes hand-in-hand with your branding. Ensure that your coaching style and core values are reflected in every interaction with clients, from your emails and website to your social media posts and coach booking software.
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Coaching philosophy examples to inspire you
What's a good coaching philosophy?
There’s no one right way to approach coaching—the right philosophy is the one that works best for you and the clients you serve. Here are some coaching philosophy examples to help you plot your path to success:
Collaborative coaching
Collaborative coaching is a team effort, like a buddy system for personal growth. It's about working together, side-by-side, with respect and open communication. This empowering approach puts your clients in the driver's seat, helping them take ownership of their journey. To use a sports coaching philosophy example, imagine this:
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You're coaching a young soccer player who’s struggling with their confidence. Instead of just giving them drills, you work with them to set specific goals, analyze their game footage, and come up with ways to improve their skills.
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With collaborative coaching, you're not just a guide; you're a partner. You're navigating the journey together and celebrating victories along the way.
Strength-based coaching
Forget about fixing what's broken. Strength-based coaching is all about celebrating what's awesome. Inspired by positive psychology, this approach focuses on uncovering your client's hidden superpowers.
Imagine this:
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You're coaching a young professional who's feeling overwhelmed at work. Instead of dwelling on their weaknesses, you help them dig deep to uncover their strengths. They may be a creative problem-solver or a natural connector. You help them harness these natural abilities to tackle their challenges.
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Continual challenges are a part of any path to success—but they’re not the whole story. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do,” says former NCAA basketball coach John Wooden. By highlighting and capitalizing on your client's natural talents, you're fueling their fire and building momentum that leads to ongoing growth.
Solution-focused coaching
Are your clients sick of dwelling on past failures? Solution-focused coaching is about looking ahead and focusing on the finish line. It's based on the belief that your clients have what it takes to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Imagine this:
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You’re coaching a fitness client who's struggling to stick to their workout routine. Instead of letting them beat themselves up about the past, you help them envision their dream physique. Then, you break down that vision into smaller, achievable steps, like creating a personalized workout plan and tracking their progress.
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As a coach, part of your job is to help your clients stay focused on their desired outcomes. "Don't tell me how rocky the sea is. Just bring the ship in," says College Football Hall of Famer coach Lou Holtz. With solution-focused coaching, you're not just fixing problems; you're creating a clear path to success.
Growth mindset coaching
A growth mindset is the belief that you can gain new skills and abilities through hard work. People who have a growth mindset “tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and put more energy into learning,” says Carol Dweck of the Harvard Business Review.
Imagine this:
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You’re coaching a boxer who’s feeling down after a recent loss. You reframe it as a learning opportunity, encouraging them to reflect on what went wrong and use that as inspo to increase their fight IQ. Together, you set new goals to improve specific techniques. As they move forward, you reinforce their belief in their abilities and teach them the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
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When you’re working toward big wins, adversity comes with the territory. As football coach John Madden puts it, “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."
Challenges are opportunities to learn and grow. Placing the focus on learning helps your client overcome adversities and see setbacks as a chance to get even better than they were before.
Level up your coaching game with the power of a well-defined philosophy
So, there you have it! By understanding and defining your coaching philosophy, you're unlocking even more potential to guide your clients, build a successful practice, and make a lasting impact.
A coaching philosophy isn’t just words; it's a framework and mindset that sets you apart and helps your clients achieve their goals. So what are you waiting for? Craft your unique coaching philosophy and see how it steers you toward an even more effective and fulfilling practice.
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