The CTA Coaching course has been a transformative journey, not just in terms of professional knowledge but also in terms of self-awareness. Two days on Zoom shattered the illusion of my coaching knowledge, revealing a deep well of potential and growth I never knew existed.
The course not only clarified the distinctions between coaching, therapy, mentoring, and training, but it also sparked a profound understanding of the kind of coach I aspire to be.
The irony isn’t lost on me. The past five months of lockdown, a period of forced isolation and introspection, unknowingly prepared me for this online learning environment. While I’m accustomed to one-on-one interactions, the focus and information absorption during these virtual sessions surprised me. The discussions are deep dives, allowing for individual attention and clarification – a stark contrast to the isolation I experienced during lockdown.
The camaraderie with my fellow trainees is another unexpected gift. Despite our diverse backgrounds and locations, a shared purpose unites us. This group of overthinkers, introverts, and sensitive souls is on a journey of growth together. The platform fosters a safe space for sharing, creating a model for future interactions with my clients.
I thought I mastered active listening. My eagerness to show support through emotion and interjections masked true listening. Silence, I learned, is a powerful tool that respects the client’s space. The course provided opportunities to practice this in a supportive environment, and the shift in my approach has already begun to show in my daily interactions.
Completing sentences and offering vocabulary felt helpful, but the course highlighted the importance of letting clients find their own words. “Words create worlds,” a phrase that resonates deeply, reminding me to avoid influencing their emotional landscape. This realization wasn’t just intel ectual; a practice session clarified it. Resisting the urge to “rescue” a colleague by offering vocabulary during a role-play helped me understand the power of allowing clients to find their own expression.
My notepad, a constant companion, usually overflows with observations. During a practice session, I relied solely on memory and listening. The exercise surprised me with how much I could retain without note-taking, a valuable skill for active listening – especially considering some clients might be distracted by a note-taking coach. This newfound confidence allows me to focus more intently on the client and the present moment.
“Powerful questioning” is an area I’m eager to develop. The fear of appearing rude with too many questions has been dispelled. Clients, I understand now, anticipate questions as part of the coaching process. The course has begun to equip me with the skills to ask the right questions that prompt deeper reflection and unlock a client’s potential. This preparation has instilled in me the confidence to handle a variety of clients, each with their unique needs and challenges.
Most surprisingly, the course revealed how a client’s values can be gleaned from their questions. My own value shift towards financial security became evident in my recent question—a reflection of the pandemic’s impact. This realization opened my eyes to the deeper meaning behind a client’s words, allowing me to approach coaching with a newfound level of empathy and understanding.
Time management within sessions is a challenge. While it can feel like a casual conversation, the framework ensures focused progress. Each question becomes a deep dive within a limited timeframe. The practice sessions provided valuable experience in navigating this balance, teaching me to respect the time constraints while still creating a space for meaningful exploration.
The “wheel of life” exercise exposed the evolution of my values. Initially overwhelmed, I scrambled to prioritize, revealing a deeper transformation than I realized. While self-improvement remains a top goal, the weighting has shifted. This exercise became a roadmap for achieving those goals for myself and the clients I will one day coach. Coach Transformation has fundamentally changed me. The questions forming in my mind now focus on “what” and “how” rather than just “why.”
Investing in this training feels like a gift to me, and I’m eager to excel and help my future clients unearth their own inner gems. The journey of self-discovery disguised as coach training has equipped me with the skills to coach others and a deeper understanding of myself. For instance, I now approach active listening with a new perspective, understanding that silence can be a powerful tool. I am now more prepared than ever to embark on this exciting new chapter.
