What Attributes to Look for in a Life Coach

There are a number of attributes that are common to good life coaches. The way they personally interact with others is key since people of all ages are able (and more willing) to learn life’s lessons from someone they can “connect” with. And a life coach’s experience is important to ensure that he or she has the required breadth of skills and knowledge to effectively mentor a diverse range of people.

Unlike many jobs, life coaching does not come with a person’s specifications, or even with a job description. However, all life coaches share a common belief: The learning experience is as important to them as it is to their students.

Empathy, Leadership, & “Drawing the Line”

In general, most of the attributes shared by life coaches fall into broad categories. First and foremost: Empathy. Having empathy with others comes naturally to some coaches; if not, it’s a difficult skill to master. To be a successful life coach, he or she must have the ability to empathize with a broad range of people.

Since life coaches draw their customers from all walks of life, they need to understand an individual’s basic fears and insecurities, and what actually “drives” different people. This will give a coach the ability to address these issues in a non-confrontational way.

Coaches need also to be leaders especially since leadership is an important part of the coach’s relationship with an individual and in the development of each individual’s leadership skills. The attribute of good leadership is often misunderstood; some people mistakenly believe it comes from a strong and forceful personality. However, leadership is more about clarity of purpose and the ability to create visions and to persuade others to invest in those visions. Teaching leadership skills is an integral part of the coaching process.

Coaches must also have a clear idea of the line between friendship and professionalism. A successful life coach becomes a significant influence in the lives of others, and he or she must know when to offer support and when individuals must make their own decisions.

Balance In All Things

Good coaches must be able to balance their own emotions and how they react to different situations to provide a “template” for others to follow. They also must possess all of the qualities they teach  not only in word but in deed and inspire others to succeed.

An effective coach will have been through many of the experiences shared by his clients, and will have in-depth knowledge of the coping mechanisms and life strategies he teaches others. A great coach constantly strives for improvement in all things in his own life and his work and in others, and agrees that the learning process never ends.