Is a coach a psychiatrist?
As people start to work with me, one of the questions I get asked is, “Do I have to lie on a couch?” For most people this is tongue in cheek but for some, it is a question about how coaching really works. Here’s what to expect from a good coach:
- You start with your objectives. You decide what you want to accomplish by working with the coach and most coaching conversations will be about progress against those objectives.
- You and the coach collect some data. Coaches are better when they have some data beyond your own impressions. Data usually includes personality tests (like Myers Briggs), and other people’s impression of how you are doing (particularly your boss’ but also the opinions of others around you who are interested in your development).
- Coaching conversations need to happen regularly (usually about every two weeks). Long lags between conversations tends to cause conversations to wander into theory and away from practicality.
- Coaches are more like sports coaches than psychiatrists or psychologists. A coach is trained to help you with becoming better at what you do and not necessarily at “getting deeply into your head” (unless the coaches are also trained as psychologists or psychiatrists).
- Coaching conversations are mostly practical and tactical. You will be doing most of the talking. The coach will be questioning and listening. Each coaching conversation focuses on important things that just happened and important things that are about to happen. You and the coach examine these things together, pull out the lessons and plan for the next interaction or event.
- Coaching relationships have an end. At the end, you and the coach will discuss both how well you met your coaching objectives and how well the coaching experience suited your needs. You agree on a go forward plan that may or may not include the coach.
If you find your coaching conversations are not effective, you may need another coach or be better served by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Most importantly, your time is valuable, find someone who really helps you.
