Do I Need a Coach? Myths, Facts, and How Coaching Can Help You

Do I need a coach? It's a question a lot of people ask, whether they're thinking about career growth, personal development, or achieving specific goals. Some people assume coaching is only for executives, high-level leaders, or for fixing performance issues. Spoiler alert: It's not.

In this post, I debunk some common myths about coaching and show how it can support goal setting, career profession, confidence, communication and more. If you're curious and would like to explore if coaching is right for you, contact me for a chat.

Myth 1: Coaching is only for executives

Many people think coaching is only for senior leaders or CEOs, and this comes more from how it was first used, not from who benefits most from it. Executives often get coaching because organisations pay for it, but that doesn't mean they need it more.

Coaching is for anyone who wants to grow, improve, or achieve specific goals. Whether you're starting your career, stepping into a new role or wanting to show up with more confidence, coaching provides guidance, structure, and clarity.

People earlier or mid-career benefit hugely from coaching because:

• they are forming habits that will compound for years

• they are navigating uncertainty, self doubt and visibility

• they are learning how to manage up, across and themselves

• they don't always get the support they need from their manager or organisations (this is not to say coaching replaces good management, just that it can be something a lot of people have to deal with)

Myth 2: Coaching is only for fixing poor performance

It's true that organisations sometimes use coaching to address performance gaps. You don't need to be "broken" or have a "big problem" to justify coaching.

Most coaching isn't about "fixing problems". It's about growth and development. Even if you're doing well, coaching can help you sharpen skills, gain perspective, and accelerate progress towards your goals. Even high achievers use coaching to refine their approach, get an outside perspective, or stay accountable to goals.

If you wait until you're burnt out, stuck, or at the top that's when coaching can become a corrective method. If you start earlier, it's developmental.

Myth 3: Coaching is just motivation or advice

Actually a good coach doesn't give advice, like a friend, manager or mentor. They aren't there to tell you what to do or give you a pep talk. Coaching is structured, client-led, and solutions-focused. A coach helps you:

• Identify obstacles and patterns holding you back

• Explore your options and resources

• Break goals into actionable steps

• Stay accountable and motivated

Some people expect a coach to hand them solutions. Coaching is about helping you discover your own solutions so your goals are more meaningful, sustainable and aligned with your values. A coach asks questions, challenges assumptions, and guides you to clarity. But the decisions are always yours.

Myth 4: Coaching is only useful at work

Coaching is widely used in organisations, but it's just as effective for personal development. Work takes up such a huge amount of our mental space, even outside of working hours. Coaching helps people change how they think, communicate and show up at work.

People use coaching to:

• Set meaningful goals and create action plans

• Set boundaries without guilt

• Build confidence and assertiveness

• Communicate more clearly and calmly

• Navigate life or career changes

• Clarify priorities

• Make decisions instead of overthinking them

• Stop carrying work into personal time

Myth 5: Coaching is expensive or time-consuming

It's true that coaching is an investment, but so is going to the gym. It's an investment in your growth, performance, and long-term results, so financially, many people find the return on investment outweighs the cost. Just like a personal trainer helps you make the most of your time at the gym, a coach helps you get the most out of your efforts to achieve your goals.

Coaching isn't about becoming a different person or about fixing everything. It's about becoming more intentional and confident with the person you already are.

Myth 6: I can do this myself, I don't need a coach

Self-directed growth is possible and you could try to figure it out on your own - reading articles, asking chatGPT, relying on motivation. But progress tends to be slower, inconsistent, and more frustrating.

A coach acts like a guide, helping you see what's working, what's holding you back, and how to create a clear plan for action. Similar to having a personal trainer, you can exercise alone, but a personal trainer gives you guidance and accountability so progress is often faster, more consistent and more effective.

Next Steps:

Coaching isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be transformative when applied in the right context.

Together we focus on practical tools to:

• Gain clarity about your next steps and career direction

• Build confidence in how you communicate and present yourself

• Take action with intention and purpose without feeling overwhelmed

If you want support with building your confidence, preparing for interviews or finding clarity in your career direction, get in touch.

Not sure if coaching is right for you?

Start with a one-hour mini coaching session to get clarity, practical guidance, and clear next steps. No pressure, just focused support.

Book your mini coaching session