Why Every Coach Needs a Coach: The Untold Truth of the Coaching Industry

By Alan Stevens, International Profiling and Communications Specialist

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, the need for guidance and direction is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or are a seasoned professional, the value of having a coach by your side cannot be overstated. However, a concerning trend is emerging within the coaching industry: many coaches, who tirelessly promote their services to others, don’t have coaches themselves. This paradox raises a critical question: how can someone effectively coach others without having a coach guiding them?

The Need for Coaches at Every Level

No matter where you are in your business journey, having a coach is essential. Coaches offer an external perspective, helping to identify blind spots and provide insights that might not be immediately apparent to someone entrenched in the day-to-day operations of their business. They challenge us, hold us accountable, and push us to reach our fullest potential.

But what about coaches themselves? The reality is that coaches, too, need coaches. The act of coaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about continuous learning and development. Without someone to challenge their assumptions, coaches can easily fall into the trap of stagnation, repeating the same advice and strategies without ever evolving.

Coaches Without Coaches: A Troubling Statistic

Despite the clear benefits, a surprising number of coaches do not practice what they preach. According to a recent study, a significant percentage of coaches do not have their own coach. This fact is alarming, especially when you consider that these same individuals are responsible for guiding others through complex personal and professional challenges. The irony here is striking: how can a coach effectively guide others on a journey of growth and self-improvement if they aren’t committed to their own development?

Having been approached by so many such coaches highlighted this issue to me, with several high-profile coaches admitting they don’t currently have a coach. The reasons vary from the belief that they don’t need a coach, believing their own hype, to the misguided assumption that their existing experience and knowledge are sufficient. However, these justifications fall short when compared to the overwhelming evidence that continuous coaching leads to better outcomes, both for the coach and their clients.

Asking the Right Questions

This brings us to a critical point: before hiring a coach, the first question you should ask is, “Who are your coaches, and why?” This question gets to the heart of the matter. If a coach is truly committed to personal growth and development, they will readily share the names and roles of the coaches who guide them. This transparency not only builds trust but also demonstrates a coach’s commitment to continuous learning.

A coach without a coach is like a ship without a compass—adrift and directionless. Just as you wouldn’t trust a ship’s captain who refused to consult their navigation tools, you shouldn’t trust a coach who isn’t actively seeking guidance from others.

In the end, the message is clear: no one is immune to the need for coaching, not even coaches themselves. The best coaches understand that learning is a lifelong process and that we all need someone to challenge, guide, and inspire us and them. So, the next time you’re considering hiring a coach, remember to ask the important questions – “Who are your coaches, and why?”. After all, the effectiveness of your coach depends not just on their ability to guide you but also on their willingness to be guided themselves.

The wisest of us know, that to be the best help to others we must be in a continual state of learning ourselves.