195. Why You Aren’t the Perfect Coach (And That’s Okay)

There’s a common question I receive from new coaches: how to go from being a fixer to being a true coach. This topic came up frequently during my recent Coach Week event and in messages from listeners who are just starting their coaching journey, so it’s time to give you the answers you need.   Join me as I explore why our desire to fix things can actually rob our clients of powerful breakthroughs and self-awareness. I share tangible reasons why leading with solutions is often counterproductive, and reveal the key mindset shift that can transform your coaching practice.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/211

In hosting Coach Week, a week-long series of free trainings for coaches, I found myself blown away by the incredible coaches I've met. Being surrounded by so many coaches who want to do good in the world has lifted my spirit in a way I can't even describe, and I want to bring a little of that lightness to all of you.   Tune in this week to discover why it’s okay if coaching feels a little heavy right now. I share how to start separating your coaching business from the noise and heaviness around you, and discuss the value of support and community in the coaching industry. Learn how to drown out the negative voices and focus on the positive ones.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/210

In this episode, I talk with the burnout MD for entrepreneurs, Dr. Crystal Agyei, about why defaulting to the label of imposter syndrome can actually hold you back from doing the deeper work of understanding your thoughts and emotions. Crystal shares a powerful reframe for imposter syndrome that she calls the "personality gap" - the space between the version of yourself you desire to be and the one that is currently showing up.   Crystal dives into the problematic history of how imposter syndrome was originally conceived, the importance of applying an intersectional lens to this work, and how to start investigating your own "imposter" thoughts with curiosity. She also shares a practical tool you can use to identify and question the thoughts behind your feelings of imposter syndrome in the moment they arise.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/209

Over the past few weeks, I've had eye-opening discussions with numerous successful coaches who have scaled their businesses to impressive heights. And yet, many of them confessed to me that they've fallen out of love with their businesses along the way. This got me thinking deeply about how the relentless push to scale as coaches may be negatively impacting us and our clients.   Hear my thoughts on the dark side of scaling your coaching business, and how, while there is nothing inherently wrong with it, you must be tapped into your reasons for why you want to do it. I explore the “scale at all costs” mentality, how it can lead you down an unfulfilling path and even hinder client results, and why more money and clients don't always equal more fulfillment and impact as a coach.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/208

As a coach, it's crucial to have clear policies and boundaries around how you handle situations where someone other than the client is paying for the coaching. Without this clarity, confusion can arise about who you are coaching, what results you are working towards, and who you are accountable to.   Join me this week as I offer key principles for coaching clients whose coaching is paid for by a third party. I share examples of when this situation might come up, key questions to ask yourself as a coach, and how to structure the coaching relationship for success. You’ll also hear real-life examples of how you can apply these principles in your practice to maintain the integrity of the coaching process.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/207

In this episode, I share a recent realization I had while on vacation in Italy. A brief poolside chat with a friend and fellow coach completely shifted my perspective on audits. Her enthusiasm for audits made me realize that evaluating your business is not only important, but it can also be fun and incredibly rewarding.   I dive into why audits are the backbone of my coaching programs and how they can help you level up your coaching skills, get better results for your clients, and create a sustainable, thriving business. Trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll be itching to conduct your own coaching audit!   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/206

Have you ever heard a coach say, “How you do one thing is how you do everything?” It's a common phrase that gets thrown around, but what does it really mean? While I personally try to stay away from talking about overused or over-generalized concepts like this, they can be super useful if you’re able to use them in a powerful way. So what truly makes this coaching concept useful, and where can it sometimes fall short or be misinterpreted?   I unpack “How you do one thing is how you do everything” and offer some practical tips for leveraging this idea in your coaching to create more awareness and transformative results. Hear the difference between applying this phrase to beliefs versus actions, and how to guide your clients in experimenting with new ways of thinking.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/205    

In this episode, I share a clip from my CEO Series where I dive into one of the biggest mistakes I see coaches making: forgetting that they are in charge of their own business. This mindset can lead to confusion, indecision, and relying too heavily on other people’s strategies instead of trusting your own intuition.   Understand on the deepest level why it's vital that you step into your role as CEO and make decisions that align with your unique values and goals. I provide actionable steps you can take to start creating more awareness and self-trust in your business today.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/204

By aligning your thoughts and feelings across your different roles as a coach and entrepreneur, you can enjoy your business more while elevating the work you do as a coach. To put this in perspective, I have a powerful exercise to help you bridge the gap between your coach self and your entrepreneurial mindset.   Explore how to translate your coaching confidence into your marketing, and vice versa. With the reflections I share today, you'll gain clarity on how to approach your business with a holistic, service-oriented mindset that feels authentic to you and helps get your clients the best results possible.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/203

When focusing on coaching skills, especially with my more advanced clients, business challenges often arise that negatively affect their ability to coach effectively. So what mistakes are you making in your business that are preventing you from being the best coach for your clients?   Discover the five business mistakes you need to avoid if you want to become an exceptional coach. I discuss what these mistakes are, why they happen, how they impact your coaching skills, and most importantly, how to avoid them.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.lindsaydotzlafcoaching.com/202