top of page
Writer's pictureTony Richards

10 Rules of Being an Effective Coach

There is one really great thing about coaching others and that is when you help others get better, you actually get better yourself. First of all, to be a first-rate coach, you have to set a great example. People believe and trust what they see, not what they hear. The better model you are for others, the easier and more effective you can coach them. Many people say they can’t be an effective coach because they don’t have anything to offer, but every person can offer a higher standard for others to see and experience.

Many people say they can’t be an effective coach because they don’t have anything to offer, but every person can offer a higher standard for others to see and experience.

Coaching others is an also a great way to coach yourself. Good coaches are highly aware of behaviors of those they are coaching. If you see someone else having a bad attitude, you’ll likely recognize this in yourself faster and also try to not display that same attitude. When you hear others say negative things about themselves or their situation, it causes you to be introspective and to not do the same. As you pick up on opportunities several times a day when coaching others, it causes you to be more self-aware to avoid these same tendencies yourself.

You and the people you coach can grow more proficient in anything through intelligent observation combined with action. Although I coach clients almost every day, every day I also coach myself. As a CEO Coach, I also ask myself how can I be a more effective coach and I always come back to these ten rules.

The 10 Rules of Being an Effective Coach:

  1. Recognize that you do have things of value to offer others. It may simply be the high standards you set for yourself as an example and it can be some knowledge or skills you have developed over time.

  2. Regarding your example, don’t try to coach people into things you do not do yourself or have not done.

  3. Shelve your own ego, be very much about the other person.

  4. Slow down in your thoughts and in your conversation. It helps you become more self-assured and not “all over the place” or rushed.

  5. Constantly raise the bar on yourself. As you get better yourself, you can pass on more to others.

  6. Do not be intimidated by the person you are coaching. They will most likely be superior to you in some areas and at the same time, you are more than adequate in what you are trying to coach.

  7. Hold your ground. Some people you are coaching will try to dismiss some things you say or offer them. Don’t let them diminish your value.

  8. Do your job in giving your best thoughts, information and advice, but do not become offended if they do not apply or use it. You can lead a horse to water….

  9. Own up to your mistakes. If you gave some advice that bombed, take ownership of it.

  10. Stay as objective as possible. If you are trying to coach, it’s because you care for others and their success and at the same time, you must remain neutral and impartial as possible. You will be a lot more valuable if you can remain as objective as possible.

For more insights from a CEO Coach, sign up for the Monday Morning Coaching Memo.

 
10 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page