Enough is Enough: Why I'm Stepping Away From the "Coach" Label (and You Should Too)

 

The turquoise waters and gentle breeze here in Jamaica offer a sense of clarity, and it's with that clarity that I feel compelled to address something that's been weighing on my mind – the state of the online coaching world.

Frankly, I'm disgusted.

It seems like every other day, someone is hanging up a virtual shingle and declaring themselves a "coach." They boast about their "seven-figure secrets" and promise transformations they have no real foundation to deliver. It's become a breeding ground for what feels like outright fraud, and it's given the entire industry a black eye.

Here's the truth, the raw, unfiltered truth:

 coaching is a skill. It's not something you magically become because you had a decent year in your business or read a few self-help books. It requires training, understanding human psychology, and a mastery of specific frameworks designed to guide individuals toward their own unique breakthroughs.

Let's break down some of the blatant lies I see perpetuated:

1. "We are all 7-Figure Business Owners": This is a marketing tactic, plain and simple.

 While some coaches achieve significant financial success, it's far from the norm, and certainly not a prerequisite for being a skilled coach. Selling a dream built on inflated financial claims is unethical.

2. "We Make Promises We Can't Fulfill": How many times have you seen guarantees of overnight success or unrealistic transformations? A good coach empowers you to achieve your goals through your own effort and insights. They don't hand you a magic wand.

3. "Everyone Thinks We Are Scammers": And honestly, with the level of misleading information out there, can you blame them?

 The genuine, skilled coaches are being lumped in with those who prioritize profit over true client transformation.

4. "No One is Teaching 'How To' (Real Coaching)": Exactly! What I often see is mentoring disguised as coaching. Sharing your strategies is valuable, but it's not the same as guiding someone to discover their own strategies and overcome their unique obstacles.

5. "We All Believe We Are Qualified to Coach": This is the crux of the problem. Just because you've navigated your own challenges doesn't automatically qualify you to guide others through theirs. Would you trust someone to perform surgery on you because they watched a medical drama?

 Coaching requires a similar level of dedicated learning and practice.

6. "Coaches Who Are Trained Know That There's a System to Coaching Someone": This is the fundamental difference. Trained coaches understand the methodologies, the ethical considerations, and the power dynamics involved in the coaching relationship. They know how to ask the right questions, create a safe space, and facilitate genuine growth.

7. "We All Can't Be Coaches": Precisely. Just like not everyone is cut out to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer, not everyone possesses the skills and temperament to be an effective coach.

As a certified and skilled coach, I am deeply disheartened by the erosion of standards in this industry. The rampant "fake it 'til you make it" mentality is damaging the credibility of those who take this profession seriously.

 It's why, for the time being, I no longer want to be readily associated with the broad label of "coach."

My commitment to guiding individuals toward mastery remains unwavering. I will continue to use my skills and training to empower those who are ready for genuine transformation. But I can no longer stand by silently as the internet becomes a breeding ground for coaching charlatans.

So, here's my plea: If you are not formally trained, certified, and skilled in the art and science of coaching, please, for the sake of your potential clients and the integrity of the profession, stop calling yourself a coach.

Let's bring back some honesty and accountability to this space. The true power of coaching deserves nothing less.

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