10 Coaching Myths Debunked

Coaching is a rapidly expanding field with many companies and professionals swearing by its impact. Being coached can make the difference between reaching unprecedented happiness and success to a life of mediocrity. As an expat, coaching can be the ideal career for you!

Many folks accompanying their partners, end up putting their careers on hold and sometimes struggle to find new opportunities while abroad. Furthermore, there are many who have a day job which they do not enjoy, ending up experiencing years of dissatisfaction. In both cases, coaching can be the ideal next step in one’s career.

Coaching is a very rewarding and lucrative career with many different facets. Life, career, and high potential coaching are but a few examples. We sat down with Lynn Steward, from MMS Institute who helped us debunk a few coaching myths she’s heard time and time again.

Here they are:

Myth 1: I won’t be able to make enough money as a coach (to support myself/my family).

The average Life Coach salary (according to the 2016 ICF Global Coaching Study) is on average 50.000 euros per year (in Western Europe). However, in The Netherlands, coaches can earn anywhere upwards of 100 euros per hour. As a coach’s experience grows, they can increase their hourly rate. It’s not uncommon for good coaches to charge anywhere from 150 – 400 euros per hour. So even if you coach for 40 hours a month that’s a whopping 6.000 euro. (That’s close to triple the national average), not bad for a week’s worth of work! You will, however, need to spend some time on administration and customer acquisition and honing your skills as a coach.

Myth 2: I won’t find enough customers – I don’t have a (good/relevant) network.

Thanks to the internet and various global communities, you are no longer bound to the country you live in. It’s exciting to reach out to people all across the world and build an international portfolio of clients. Additionally, there are many platforms and groups to join (like the International Coach Federation) which can be your megaphone and help you reach out to a wider network. Additionally, top accredited coach training programs like the ones offered by MMS offers a global network as well as connections to local entrepreneurs, coaches, and expatriates worldwide. This helps coaches focus on coaching.

Myth 3: My business won’t do well because I’m not good at selling myself.

Think of it as offering a service helping people confused about issues in their life. These issues require clarification and your job is to empower them to make choices. Don’t see it as “selling”, in fact, you’re connecting with people on a deeper level. The most important part is believing in what you offer. If you do, then others will believe as well. Part of the coach training MMS offers involves being coached, this way you can build a foundation, building confidence moving forward. Furthermore, at the MMS Coach Training, offer personal development and mentoring in all areas of the coaching process. A “Building Your Coaching Community” webinar and personal coaching and mentoring are available after graduation at a discounted price.

Myth 4: Coaching some people on their problems won’t help the world on a bigger scale.

Coaching is about empowering others and giving others the tools to continue their personal and professional growth on their own. Through this, the benefits of coaching spread from one person to another. It’s even more impactful if a coaching culture is introduced to a company, the positive effects of which can be like a domino effect. The beauty of getting into a company as a coach is that it can be an easy source of customers once they have tested you out. So it’s important to deliver value from the get-go. And don’t forget, being a coach you are your own boss, so you can choose who you want to work with and who you don’t.

Myth 5: I have no experience with coaching (n)or a relevant background so I don’t think I can do The MMS Coach Training.

You don’t need a special degree or coaching experience to take the Coach Training. You will gain both of these during the program. In order to be a successful coach you need to be curious, have good listening skills, be patient, and have a genuine interest in helping others. The skills and experiences you have amassed in life can be useful tools in supporting others and can help open the door to their own insights and creativity in handling issues. Rest assured the MMS Coach Training teaches all the skills necessary to become a successful and transformational coach.

Myth 6: I have already been coaching for many years, or have the basic coaching skills, I don’t think I need to do more training.

MMS has been successfully teaching and training coaches for over 45 years. The MMS Coach Training is also accredited by the International Coach Federation. Graduating from the program will give you all the tools you need to become a certified coach, worldwide. Additionally, they highlight and focus on your own personal development. MMS also offers a global network and additional support for your growth as a coach. In addition to the coach training, there are a number of other training programs offered to augment your knowledge and help you grow your coaching practice and your skills.

Myth 7: I don’t need to invest in becoming an accredited coach, I can start coaching without any credentials.

Coaching is the second fasted growing business in the world, next to IT. As a result, there are many people who say they are coaches but have not been certified. It is for this reason that MMS has partnered with the ICF, they guarantee a level of excellence according to global standards. With more and more people and, especially, companies are looking to find the best, being an ICF MMS certified coach is a sure way to stand out from the others.

Myth 8: You need to be very social and good with people to become a coach.

Becoming a successful coach is not defined by your social skills nor being classified as an introvert or extrovert. It’s defined by your desire to help others, your desire to create a judgment-free space and your desire to ask open-ended questions at the right moment to support others in finding their own answers.

Myth 9: There are already so many coaches, I don’t think there’s a need.

There are millions of people on the planet that need coaching and there are so many millions more with questions. The fact that there are loads of coaches already is a clear signal there is a need for the profession. After all who wants to start a business with no competitors? No competitors mean there’s no business. In fact, coaching, in our lifetime, will become a way of life. More and more companies are recognizing the value of coaching and have started to create a culture around it. At this moment it appears to be one of the best career investments for yourself as well as for others. Additionally, you can combine coaching with other professions to get a richer and more meaningful experience. Not to mention the leadership and communication skills you’ll acquire.

Myth 10: There is no more growth or bigger steps you can take after becoming a coach.

As a coach, you will constantly grow both professionally and personally, and through your experience, you will become a more skillful and successful coach. At ICF there are three levels of accreditation, with each level your expertise grows and you are able to take your coaching to the next level. Additionally, MMS not only trains coaches but also trains facilitators; so you can join one of their global teams and start training others. MMS offers licensing packages, so you can start to lead our programs internationally. Furthermore, if you enjoy having an impact on a larger scale you can consider running specialized workshops for larger groups. Examples include women in leadership, various communication as well as various leadership workshops.

If after reading you still find yourself making more reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t be a coach, perhaps there is something else that is in the way. A fear that is blocking you from taking the next step in your life.

Your TODO List

Make a list of what attracted you to coaching in the first place, and what it could bring you and then make one of all the things that are in the way. After that, reflect and check in on how you feel after that exercise, write it down and ask yourself: What do I want? And take action accordingly.

If you need support in this process then MMS is ready to assist you. Through the Coach Training intake you will not only learn more about the program, but you will also get clarity on your own personal and professional objectives as well as support in anything that may be standing in your way of getting what you want.

Remember: through the coaching process, a coach helps you in making a choice about something. Not by telling you what to do, but by asking the right questions so you realize what the right choice for you is!