If you are curious about what a life coach does during a coach session, this article present the five key roles a life coach play during a coaching session.

A Life Coach Supports

Supporting our clients is the primary goal of a life coach. A life coach supports his client by listening to them. Trained life coaches undergo strict training where they learn to fend off internal and external distractions to provide their full attention to their clients. Listening involves more than just auditory perception; it means giving our heart, eyes, and all our energy to the client. A life coach assumes a client is whole, unique, and resourceful. Therefore, we refrain from judging, advising, and teaching. We enable clients to leverage their unique talents and abilities to set, reach, and maintain their goals.

A Life Coach Challenges

Many believe the greatest manifestation of love is to not interfere when a loved one has given up learning. A life coach knows we are goal-oriented beings, and to live a fuller, happier, and more meaningful life, we can’t stop improving. Therefore, a life coach challenges their client when they’re overtaken by complacency, laziness, and boredom.

A Life Coach Strategizes

Part of what we need when working toward a goal is a cohesive plan. Life coaches help clients create a strategy they can follow to reach their goals. I usually help my clients create a portfolio of long-, medium-, and short-term goals. Their medium and short-term goals help them track their progress. Peter Drucker famously said: “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” Therefore, helping our clients manage their goals by creating a roadmap is of utmost importance.

A Life Coach Provides Clarity

A life coach helps their clients clarify their goals and make sure they align with their interests, values, and beliefs. If you’ve ever set a goal, you know how tedious the process can be. Having an independent, objective, and trustworthy partner can help you spot inconsistencies in your plan. That awareness is usually the beginning of sustainable changes.

A Life Coach Provides Accountability

No one, regardless of their level of self-control, can achieve a goal alone. Having someone we can rely on when we self-sabotage is crucial. A trained life coach always reminds us of our commitment to our goals when we falter. A life coach is a perfect accountability buddy because they come from a place of understanding, empathy, and professionalism. After all, you paid them to be accountable. That’s one additional reason to deliver.

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Just like any other investment, it’s crucial you know the returns before venturing. There is a myriad of other functions of life coaching, but these five are the most fundamental ways a coach can be helpful to you personally and professionally.