An effective coaching relationship is characterised by supporting the growth and development of others. As Firefly coaches, we dare our clients to dream - and dream big; we shine a light on their best qualities; and we help them to identify areas of their lives where they may need to make changes - sometimes significant changes - in order to thrive, whether in their personal or professional relationships (but preferably both). 

The coaching balancing act.

For this reason, good coaching is a careful balancing act. A good coach will instinctively know how to walk a fine line: simultaneously supporting and challenging our clients in order to motivate, inspire and empower them to reach their full potential. Coaching takes skill, experience and a great deal of energy, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most rewarding professions there are. However, because other people are relying on us to help them achieve the outcomes they desire, coaching also comes with a generous dose of pressure. 

As any good coach will know, it’s extremely important to take responsibility for  managing the pressures associated with the job, which means first prioritising our own wellbeing and development. Why? Because looking after our own needs first provides us with a stronger footing from which to give our clients the level of support that they need, deserve and have come to expect from a quality coaching relationship. A coach who neglects their own self care, who fails to seek appropriate support for their physical and emotional wellbeing, or who doesn’t acknowledge the importance of pursuing their own professional development goals, will be less effective when it comes to empowering other leaders and helping them to face difficult challenges. 

Coaches need support too.

Coaches aren’t superhuman, and the combination of heavy workloads, a pressurised working environment and our own personal problems and life-load can leave us depleted and overwhelmed, with little to offer our clients. Worse still, if we’re not careful then what we do bring to the table could be tinged with our own insecurities, perceived barriers to development and private hangups. Even the most capable, experienced coaches face work-related stress which, if not properly managed, can lead to burnout.

Coaches need support too - whether in the form of coaching of their own, supervision from a senior team member, or even therapy - in order to:

• Offload stress

• Identify areas for improvement

• Facilitate their own personal and professional development

• Receive ongoing guidance and support for complex cases

• Provide a sounding board for sensitive issues or high-pressure contracts

• Help them to be the best they can be for their clients. 

Boundaries and limitations.

Firefly’s CEO, Kirsty Maynor, has had more than 25 years experience in the coaching field, and she’ll be the first to tell you that if she doesn’t do the necessary, behind-the-scenes work on her own boundaries and limitations, there’s a possibility that she could unconsciously create boundaries and limitations for the clients she works with. 

Kirsty says: “As a coach, I firmly believe that professional support is something that we should all prioritise. Not least because anyone contracting a professional coaching service needs to know that their coach has spent time working on their own challenges and issues, in order to prevent limiting beliefs from cross-contaminating the coaching relationship.”

If we could offer one piece of advice to any new coach, it would be this: don’t neglect yourself! Make yourself the priority by getting the support that you need - both personally and professionally - and addressing any ongoing issues and challenges.

By doing so, not only will you develop more fully as a coach, you’ll also be more expansive in the work that you do with clients, and more fully present in your coaching relationships.

If you’d like to find out more about the work we do at Firefly, then check out our executive coaching and mentor coaching services.