Somewhere along the line, as coaching has become more and more popular, something else has been on the rise: Major misconceptions. About who coaching is for. What it does. How pricey it is. And why it matters at all.
The 3% Coaching Coalition – a group that’s built brand campaigns for every product under the sun – decided that if anything was overdue for a rebrand, it was coaching!
So we set out to address some of the most common misconceptions… followed by counterpoints based on research and real-world observations from our coaching businesses.
In no particular order…
It’s tempting to believe that creativity is a mysterious gift that visits us like stardust. Yet the reality is that good creativity “hygiene” includes setting goals and being accountable. Rick Rubin’s book “The Creative Act” is a master class in these truths.
A recent 3% Movement survey reveals that 42% of creatives have never had a single coaching session. And almost all of them would welcome coaching. Simply put, the creative industry is under-coached. Our roster of creative coaches is ready to change that.
Coaches and therapists both work on creating long-lasting behavior changes, yet the training and techniques differ. Therapists look backwards to family of origin history, while coaching resides in the present and future. And while therapists must identify a problem to validate their work with a client, in coaching we assume our clients are awesome as they are. And we look to amplify that awesomeness. So therapy + coaching can be the equation for better life at home and at work.
The median ROI of coaching is 7x the investment. Anything else that had this kind of return would be the first item in every company’s budget. Simply put, coaching unlocks innovation, clarifies vision and builds resourcefulness. It’s an economic multiplier. 51% of companies with a strong coaching culture have higher revenues than other companies in their industry.
If your company doesn’t pay for coaching, share this site with them. See if L&D dollars might be available. Ask for coaching as part of your bonus or base compensation. Many companies are realizing that a continued investment in their best people is smart business – and that many employees are less swayed by money or job titles than by feeling aligned and purposeful.
And if you still get a no, consider investing in coaching on your own. Group coaching can bring coaching into reach for many people. Our goal? To have coaching offered as a benefit at every company, available to every employee.
While leaders at the very top are more likely to seek out a coach, managers in the messy middle often need it even more. They’re managing up and down, struggling to make their bosses look good and their teams feel supported. The stakeholders they answer to all have different needs and expectations, making it impossible to please everyone and imperative to honor yourself. Coaching is often the first (and only) place that leaders get clear on their own values and learn to play to their strengths.
Many people perceive coaching as being sent to the principal’s office. Like they’ve done something wrong and need an authority figure to set them right. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When you enter coaching, you are the principal. You’re staking claim to your inherent agency and authority, ensuring that you operate from places that are true to your values and goals. Rather than shape-shifting to fit in environments that likely weren’t built by or for you, you change the environment to accommodate and celebrate you.
By becoming clear on what you want from life, you have a distinct advantage over the 99% of people who don’t invest in coaching.
Sadly, this is true. Many people call themselves coaches with zero training. The 3% Coaching Coalition is comprised of coaches who have all completed ICF-recognized coaching programs – programs that typically take between 6-12 months to complete. What this means is that we are trained in tools and techniques that are proven to help clients realize their fullest potential. That we are trained in the ethics of coaching, ensuring confidentiality and protection from conflicts of interest. And that we belong to a community of coaches that now meet monthly to support one another in being the best thought partners possible for our clients.
The 3% Coaching Coalition is comprised of certified coaches, all of whom hail from the creative industry. Helmed by Kat Gordon, 3%’s Founder, the Coaching Coalition includes many industry luminaries, including Rob Schwartz, Chloe Gottlieb, Sarah Watson, Shameka Brown, Jess Monsey, and many others. Our collective goal is to raise awareness of the value of coaching and ensure that every creative who longs to be coached can be.
