The special sauce that coaches bring is their unique perspective, experience and ability to open doors to new possibilities. It’s also smart to have a mountaineering buddy when you push to explore a place you’ve never been. Preferably one who understands the terrain.

If only it ever worked! How amazing would that be? I would personally have saved myself years of struggle if I had been able to listen to advice. I can’t do it. Fundamentally incapable. And I suspect a few of you out there are like me too. Every time I’ve given in to the temptation to tell clients what to do during a session, give advice or otherwise direct the conversation I’ve regretted it.

All jargon aside, my favourite metaphor to explain coaching is a captain/navigator relationship. My client is the captain and chooses which star we are navigating towards. As the navigator, I use all of my tools to keep that star in sight, and plot our relationship to it.