Great Coaches Are Trained, Not Born. Here’s Why.

October 9, 2024

Lumia

In the world of personal and professional development, there's a myth that great coaches are somehow born with an innate ability to guide and inspire others.

At Lumia, we challenge this.

Are surgeons born knowing their skillset? What about an electrician?

We’ve seen time and again that effective coaching is a skillset that can be learned, honed, and improved on over time – like so many other professions! And that should be both encouraging and exciting as you set out on your path to become a coach.

Yes, natural empathy and communication skills are valuable assets, and one of the reasons so many people are drawn to become helpers – but again, great coaches are trained, not born. Here’s why…

The Neuroscience of Coaching

While some may feel coaching is a soft skill, that’s not giving this professional field enough credit.

At the heart of effective coaching lies an understanding of how the human brain works and the science of change.

Neuroscience research has shown that over time, coaching can actually change the brain's structure and function through neuroplasticity. This isn't an innate ability, but a skill developed through training and practice.

At Lumia, our curriculum is grounded in science, and backed up with evidence based research.

We teach our students to understand how coaching conversations can create new neural pathways and use techniques that promote mental flexibility and creative problem-solving.

These science-based approaches aren't intuitive – they require dedicated study and the skill of coaching requires real-world practice.

Positive Psychology in Coaching

Effective coaching is about facilitating meaningful change, and this process is rooted in psychological principles. (But coaching and therapy are very different fields, and we recognize this as well!)

At Lumia, we draw heavily from Positive Psychology, the scientific study of human flourishing. It’s a field of research that began back in the 1960’s, driven by the work of psychology researcher Martin Seligman.

Our program equips coaches with:

Evidence-based interventions to boost wellbeing and resilience
Techniques to help clients identify and leverage their strengths
Strategies to cultivate a growth mindset and overcome limiting beliefs

Research has shown that these positive psychology interventions can significantly impact a person's happiness and success.

However, applying these concepts effectively requires more than just good intentions – it requires training and an understanding of the underlying science and practiced application.

The Art and Science of Communication

While some people might have a natural knack for communication, the type of conversation required in coaching is a skill. The International Coach Federation (ICF) identifies several core competencies related to communication, including:

At Lumia, we break these skills down into learnable components. For instance, our students practice:

Recognizing and responding to different types of silence
Asking powerful questions that evoke insight and action
Challenging false beliefs in a way that's both direct and empathetic

These nuanced communication skills are developed through extensive practice and feedback, not innate talent alone.

The Ethics of Coaching

One of the most critical aspects of coaching that requires training is ethics. The desire to practice ethically as a coach is what brings many students into Lumia for training. When working with real live humans, we have a responsibility to show up in an ethical way!

At Lumia, we place a strong emphasis on ethical practice. Our students learn to:

Navigate complex ethical dilemmas
Maintain professional boundaries
Recognize and address potential conflicts of interest
Work effectively with diverse populations

These ethical considerations aren't intuitive – again, they're learned through careful study of professional standards and guided practice in applying them to real-world scenarios.

The Power of Frameworks and Tools

While natural helpers might have good intentions, effective coaching requires a toolkit of evidence-based techniques and frameworks.

At Lumia, we teach several evidence-based approaches, including solution-focused coaching techniques, and mindfulness-based interventions.

Life coaches who use structured frameworks and tools are more effective than those who rely solely on intuition – it’s far too easy to stray into “giving advice” or other areas that are NOT coaching. These frameworks provide a roadmap for the coaching process, ensuring that sessions are focused and productive.

The Importance of Supervised Experience

The journey from novice to skilled coach is about both learning and applying that knowledge effectively.

As with any skill,coaches who receive ongoing supervision and feedback are given the opportunity to improve. Untrained life coaches aren’t given the opportunity to improve under proper guidance and support.

At Lumia, we emphasize practical experience. Our life coach training program includes:

25 practice coaching sessions before graduation
Live coaching demonstrations
Peer coaching with feedback
Supervision from experienced, credentialed, expert coaches who have worked as coaches in the real world with real clients

This hands-on experience allows you to integrate your learning, refine your skills, and develop the confidence to handle anything that comes your way.

Continued Education and Learning

The field of professional coaching is continually evolving, with new research and methodologies emerging regularly. A hallmark of great life coaches is a humble approach to education and a commitment to lifelong learning.

At Lumia, we instill this growth mindset in our students. We provide:

Ongoing access to the latest coaching research and trends via Lumia staff research
Opportunities for advanced training and specialization
A supportive community of thousands for support and collaboration

This commitment to professional development means that you’ll have the opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of the field, long after your initial training is complete.

At Lumia, Great Life Coaches are Trained. Are You In?

While natural abilities like empathy and communication skills provide a great foundation, great coaches are made, not born. A great coach is willing to do the work, not just for oneself, but for the coaching clients whose lives you'll touch.

Effective coaching requires a set of skills and knowledge that can only be developed through study, practice, and ongoing professional development.

At Lumia, we're committed to providing a comprehensive, science-based training program that transforms passionate individuals into skilled, ethical, and impactful life coaches. Our ICF-accredited curriculum blends cutting-edge research with practical application, equipping our students with the tools they need to make a real difference in their clients' lives.

Are you in to harness the power of science to create meaningful change in the world? If so, Lumia is here to guide you every step of the way. If you are ready to step into your power and you’d like a partner in the process, come check out Lumia Life Coach Training and Book a Call with one of our Admissions Coaches.