This episode is part of the Smart Mindsets and Habits series. The last episode was about the crucial role of courage in success and how it comes before confidence.
I received a lot of sweet comments about that episode along of the lines of “Thanks, I needed that!”
Yes! Every coach needs encouragement, especially in the early days. Have you ever noticed the word ‘courage’ within the word ‘encourage’? I encourage you to encourage other coaches too.
Now I want to talk about adverse affects on your confidence as a coach. Namely, petty competition, comparison and shame. One leads to the next.
Shame is the Dark Secret in the Coaching Industry
I’m going to get right to the elephant in the room … the toxic result of comparison.
Have you ever felt a sense of shame when you compare yourself to other coaches?
It’s okay if you have. And actually it’s healing to acknowledge it.
Just thinking about it my body can produce that hot pit in the stomach feeling — the distinct sense memory of shame.
Teddy Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” So true.
I don’t much do the comparison thing anymore. But I know the territory intimately.
Here’s the way I experienced it:
As a new coach I’d bounce around the Internet looking at other coache’ websites. Immediately, I’d feel there’s so much I need to do better and overwhelm surged in.
A little aside here … I had no idea whether those website were helping the coach at all. Chances are most were dud websites even though they are pretty and flashy. I’ve learned a lot about what makes for a client winning coaching website since then.
When I used to attend monthly local ICF meetings I’d brace myself for the continual display of superiority by some coaches there. It felt like a room full of peacocks and I didn’t have anything to display.
Don’t get me wrong, I met wonderful coaches there too — people who, two decades later, are beloved colleagues. But the atmosphere was rife with competition rather than camaraderie.
Later in my career, as part of a circle of joint venture colleagues who were helping each other promote programs, the competition was even more fierce. There was a thick sense that we were all vying for the same thing and there was only so much to go around.
Social media amps up competition and the knee jerk to compare yourself with others. From the number of followers to the quality of reactions to the images … if you let yourself go there, you can compare yourself into a little dark corner and never come out.
I see so many coaches give up because of comparison and shame.
On Instagram … I see so many women coaches dressing up for the camera and sexing up the space. What’s up with that? And what does it have to do with running a successful business?
Okay, I’m being brutally honest here. I’m exposing the gritty feeling on purpose. And I realize that this says a lot about my own insecurities.
Still, I’m not the only one that’s noticed this – an inherent and ugly thing that can go on in circles of coaches that feels so out of place.
And I hear from my clients that they can’t find positive groups of peer coaches that they trust and feel comfortable with. That breaks my heart because it’s an echo of how I felt. And I know how critical support is when you’re launching and growing your business.
A Healthy Response to Competition
Look, if you don’t feel that icky shame that comes from competition and comparison, I’m glad. My guess is someone taught you how to have a healthy response to competition.
So let’s talk about that. Imagine navigating in the coaching and marketing world without torturing yourself. What would that look like?
Well, I’ll tell you. It’s NOT an internal hardening but rather a softening.
5 Internal Shifts to Move Past Comparison and Shame as a Coach
- Believe there is enough for everyone.
- Acknowledge that YOU bring something unique to the world and the world is better for it.
- See the competitive field as a place where everyone wins simply by showing up.
- Realize that other people’s apparent success is not necessarily the way it is or how it feels inside of them.
- Recognize and own your place on a developmental journey while you grow.
5 External Shifts to Move Past Comparison and Shame as a Coach right now:
- Narrow your target audience and coaching niche so you stand out and won’t compete with all coaches.
- Actively generate an atmosphere of camaraderie and support in all coaching groups.
- Be transparent and vulnerable with other coaches.
- Give other’s social media love by engaging and sharing generously.
- Find like-minded coaches to hang out with.
I call all coaches to love each other up now.
When I decided to start podcasting, I was so blessed to find and be invited into Facebook support groups. I was amazed at the loving and generous nature of podcasters. I’m so grateful to my colleagues in these groups and I daily pass forward what I know and celebrate the successes of others.
That’s what need to happens more and more in the coaching world.
What can you do today to foster an open and supportive environment with other coaches?
The more we all do that, the more successful we’ll all be.
For a follow on episode to this one go to: How Shame Crushes Your Momentum in Your Coaching Business
