Why have a life coach

You might think that one of the reasons to have a coach is for accountability. Perhaps you'd be surprised to learn that I don’t believe in “holding someone accountable”.  The book The 12 Week Year fundamentally altered my understanding of accountability:

“Accountability is not consequences but ownership. It is a character trait, a life stance, a willingness to own your actions and results- regardless of the circumstances”.

                However, a life coach can provide a sounding board, in the original meaning of the phrase. A sounding board was used to amplify a speaker’s voice and provide more clarity. In the process of responding to a coach’s questions, many clients are surprised to hear truths that have been hiding beneath the surface of the issues they’re experiencing. By asking insightful questions, being an objective audience, and staying present to the verbal and nonverbal cues of their client, life coaches provide an environment for radical shifts of perspective.