I like to think of myself as a fairly honest, reliable and respectable coach. I have over two decades of experience helping people lose fat, build muscle and improve their overall health. I continuously educate myself on the latest Dietary Nutrition, Training and Supplement Science, so that I can remain a valuable source of information for our clientele base. And most importantly, I LOVE what I do, and I CARE about my clients’ goals and their results.
As of today, our company Forever Fit Performance currently has a roster of over 230 clients that work with us here in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as across North America. I have a personal roster of well over 150 clients that work with me both in person and online. As our company continues to grow each year, I believe it’s a testament to the fact that we are some of the most knowledgeable and motivational coaches in the Fitness Industry today.
However does all the above really mean that I am a good coach? I would be lying if I said there were not times when I questioned my own training methods and dietary practices. I actually think it would be completely arrogant and ignorant of me if I didn’t. I mean, my way of coaching people isn’t the only way to coach people. And I’m definitely not the best coach on the planet. And even after establishing a fairly well known and respected reputation amongst my peers and our clients, I occasionally have my doubts in my coaching abilities.
So I’m left wondering what truly makes a coach, a good coach? Better yet, how does a good coach, remain a good coach and not lose their credibility as their roster grows and their time with each individual becomes more and more limited?
How Does a Good Coach Grow and Expand His or Her Coaching Business Without Diluting Their Service?
Ask any Small Business Owner and they will tell you (or I would hope would tell you) that being “Too Busy” is a good problem to have. If you are someone who is selling your service, such as an RMT, Hairdresser, Real Estate Agent, or Personal Trainer, it’s actually quite the compliment to be “Too Busy”. Being “Too Busy” means that people see value in the services in which you are providing to them. However it also means that you risk potentially stretching yourself too thin with work, which in turn can eventually lead to complete burn out. And in my opinion when someone starts to show signs of burn out, one of the first things I notice is that the quality of their work diminishing quite quickly. And if the quality of service in which you are known for providing begin to suffer, your business will ultimately suffer along with it.
I believe a good coach knows how to delegate. I also believe a good coach knows how to hire and align him or herself with other good coaches. I believe a good coach can coach other coaches on how to become good coaches as well. Therefore when a coach becomes increasingly busier with clients, he or she has a team of good coaches that can help him or her with the increase in demand for exceptional coaching services. If a good coach is able to accomplish all of this, than I believe he or she becomes a great coach.
What Does a Client Consider To Be a Good Coach?
Oddly enough, a good coach can mean different things to different people. Some people want a coach that will hold their hand every step of the way in their fitness journey and almost act like a Therapist to assist them with their everyday struggles. Others simply want a coach that will answer all their questions and concerns related to their diet and training program so that they feel confident they are making progress with their health and physiques. And then there are people out there that just want a coach purely for the accountability that it provides in order to show up to their workouts, and remain somewhat on track with their diets.
This is why not every good coach out there is suitable for every single person. In order for a coach to be considered “good” to their client, they must meet the critieria in which that client demands and seeks out. I personally am a very hands on coach. I only take on a certain amount of people at a time so that I am able to provide my undivided attention when and where it’s necessary. When I have a full roster, I refer out to the coaches that work with me because I respect them and trust that they will be able to assist the client that I am referring to them without any hesitation. I think being able to keep your ego in check, and understand that there are other coaches who can help people achieve similar results that you can help them achieve, makes a good coach, a great coach.
So What Do I Consider To Be a Good Coach?
I believe in order to be a good coach you have to possess all of the qualities that I listed above AND be completely committed to learning and relearning your craft over and over again. Yes, a good coach should love his or her job and care about all of their clients’ goals and results as if they were their own. And yes, a good coach needs to understand that he or she can only help so many people at a certain time and therefore needs to rely on the help from other great coaches and support staff to ensure that his or her coaching business does not become diluted. And finally, a good coach should be able to help execute a customized plan for their client, and be able to make the necessary adjustments and revisions along the way to ensure that as long as the client does their part, they will be able to accomplish their goals and achieve their results.
To summarize, in order for that good coach to become a great coach I believe he or she must:
– Educate themselves on a continuous basis.
– Acknowledge his or her flaws.
– Asses any and all weaknesses.
– Ask for help when needed.
– Admit when he or she does not know the answer.
– Be fully committed to their clients’ goals and results
– Be honest, truthful and realistic with their clients’ expectations.
– Be humble, be grateful and maintain a sickening work ethic.
That’s how a good coach becomes a great coach.
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Peformance