The Three S's of a Growing Coach

There's a particular season in a coach's journey that can set the tone for how they move through their career. Surprise, surprise... It's the beginning! For me it was my "baby coach" era!

You care so deeply, you want to do well, but you're also wondering if everyone else knows something you don't... After years of coaching coaches and reflecting on my own path, I've noticed three patterns that consistently shape growth early on. Like many things in life, they're simple, but they're not always easy...

1. Support! Find a coach

There is an underlying thread of isolation in this profession. The work can be incredibly lonely. You're stepping into the role of a constant support person, you're the space creator, the question asker, the energy holder... it's a lot to sit with and still have to cook dinner at the end of the day. Many coaches believe that stepping into the role of a coach means they need to be the ones to create support. While largely, that's true, coaches also need their own coach to rely on. It's how we help regulate each other and the profession as a whole.  

I remember the first time I heard that I should hire a coach and thought, "If my clients find out I have a coach, they're going to think I don't know what I'm doing." It turns out, it's the opposite. When your clients know you have a coach, it elevates the value of coaching. It shows them that you believe in the work enough to be in it yourself. It's important to remember that we don't sell coaching as a concept. We sell it as an experience. And if you're not actively having that experience, it's like when your server at a restaurant tells you they haven't tried anything on the menu... 

2. Systems! Shift from outcomes to process

New coaches often anchor themselves to the outcomes – the number of clients, new leads, or conversion rates. All worthy metrics! But when they become the primary measure of progress, they can get heavy fast... Especially when things don't go according to your plan. Systems, on the other hand, are well within what you can control, iterate and experiment with.

For example, one simple system might be: I aim to have ten serving conversations a week. This creates a shift from "did I get the result?" to "did I engage in the process?" A rhythm like this builds consistency, confidence, and trust in your own practice.

Two systems that have become non-negotiable for me are my preparation and reflection work:

1. Preparation: Not only a preparation of content, but of myself. My presence, my energy, and my ability to stay grounded and attentive. A lesson I learned the hard way... the quality of my coaching is directly influenced by the state I bring into the coaching container.
   

2. Reflection: Creating space after each interaction to ask myself what worked? What didn't and what did I learn? It's easy to find yourself critical of your own skills when you reflect back. If there's one thing I'd encourage you here, it's to swap your hammer for a flashlight... When approached with curiosity rather than judgement, even the uncomfortable moments become valuable data for growth and not a 2 A.M. embarrassing moment highlight reel.

   
   

3. Start! Coaching is a practice, not a theory

Coaching is a skill developed through doing, not studying. It's easy to stay in preparation mode – refining messaging, adjusting agendas, or talking about coaching... without actually coaching. Let these activities find time on your agenda, but don't let them replace real conversations.

Growth comes from practice, trying things, engaging in dialogue, intentionally filling your calendar with conversations. Not all of them need to lead anywhere. The goal is to practice engaging, listening, and developing your craft. Tracking these conversations, (aka reflecting!) especially in the early days, can be helpful. Plus, someday you'll get to go back to your "Baby Coach" journal and see how far you've come. 

Support expands your own capacity.

Systems create consistency.

Starting builds your confidence. 

Braided together, they form the foundation for not only success, but more importantly for sustainable growth.

If you're looking to do your inner work and outer work alongisde coaches with a range of skillsets, experience, and expertise, you're invited to step into the land of Coaching Magic YOU-niversity! Launching September 2026, Coaching Magic is full of support and systems to get you started! Join our email list to be the first to hear about it!