Knowing how to do something does not automatically qualify you to become a coach. It takes more than just knowledge, experience or expertise.

What is that special something that you need to have?

Let´s take a closer look at what it means to become an expert coach or consultant.

To start off with...

What exactly is an expert coach?

An expert coach uses her expertise in a specific field to help others produce exemplary results in their lives, careers or business. She focuses on helping them bridge the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.

Expert coaches partner with their clients to help them design the life they want to live, and share their knowledge and resources to help them achieve their most important goals in life.

An expert coach is not only someone who is both skillful and knowledgeable, however. She also uses her expertise to help her clients achieve clarity, take action and, ultimately, accelerate their progress towards their goals by providing greater focus and awareness. Often this takes looking at and sorting out baggage from the past.

As An Expert Coach, Learning Never Ends

While your expertise may be reflected in your many years of experience, achievements and rewards and your own personal success in your field, the learning does not stop there.

What you need to be doing is continually building on that expertise.

Ultimately, your expertise is what you have to offer as a coach. It is your product to sell; it is your magnet to attract clients. It’s the lemons of your life out of which you have made Success Lemonade.

It is the prerequisite to a successful coaching career.

Even when you feel confident about your abilities, it’s always good to continue developing them and learning more. You can never be too expert on anything. There is always room to grow.

Expand your knowledge and acquire new skills. Keep up with trends and technology. Discover the newest techniques and methods and stay ahead of your game.

Observe coaching experts in your field. Learn from them. Learn how they think and how they act. Consider working with a coach you admire to learn from them first-hand.

“Beware of the coach who does not have one!”

Seek to understand their thought process and how they resolve problems. Make it a practical test of your own critical thinking skills.

For a more passive learning experience, you can attend conferences and seminars or watch online videos where you take notes for future reference.

Practice Makes Perfect Progress

Though this may seem like just a tired phrase, the reason we hear it so often is because it´s true.

If you want to become an expert coach, you need to understand the power of practice.

What you invest in practice, you will gain in precision and progress. Practice will always move you forward and never the other way around. Its power lies in consistency. Don’t ever allow yourself to procrastinate or fall behind.

If you want to be an expert coach, practicing and honing your craft is one of the key fundamentals to live by.

Set your schedule and keep it. Identify the best part of the day or the week for your practice. Make sure it doesn’t get in the way of other responsibilities.

Strike a balance between what needs to be done to reach your goal of becoming an expert coach and your other commitments. That way, your mind will be free from worries and you can focus on getting better and better at your craft.

Identify your weaknesses and focus on eliminating them. This is the whole point of practice. If there is an area that you are not very confident in, or if there are new techniques and methods that you have yet to master, this is the time for you to work on them or ask for help.

The First Step

Now that you are aware of the basic things you need to know about becoming an expert coach, you are ready to take the first step. The first step is the decision of whether or not you think you have what it takes.

This career involves a lot of self-discipline and caring about the progress of other people. Remember that this is not only about you but mostly about how you can help others reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

You must focus on constantly improving yourself and keeping up with the pace of changing times. Still, in my experience, this is the most worthwhile and satisfying career - guiding and supporting others in transforming into better versions of themselves, so they can bask in the success they both want and deserve.

If you are ready to move forward, I´d like to congratulate you! Not only have you made a decision that will have a positive impact on your career and your own life, you have made a decision that will transform the lives of others.

And if you are still not quite sure about whether coaching is the right path for you, I´d like to help you explore the possibility. Because with a proven coaching method, a definite plan of action and the guidance of a seasoned mentor, becoming an expert coach or consultant is far easier than you imagine it to be.