Jobs for Boomers: Coaching
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Speaking of coaching (as I was last week), I know several people who have parlayed successful careers into nice “retirement” jobs as coaches. People with lots of life experience can make great coaches, helping people over the rough spots of business and personal life.
If you are interested in learning more about coaching, check out the International Coach Federation or CoachU (CoachU was founded by Thomas Leonard who they say is the “father of coaching,” in 1992). Most coaches these days are credentialed, meaning they have passed a series of courses to learn how to coach effectively. Sure you can do it yourself, but the credentials make you more credible, and they give you more information and, yes, coaching, than if you were to start out yourself.
The International Coach Federation has a list of “core competencies” for coaches, including:
- Ethical actions - You are learning intimate details of people’s lives, and you must treat them with dignity and respect.
- Integrity, as in doing what you say you will do, showing up when you are supposed to (by phone or in person), making sure your actions support your credentials.
- An ability to get people to Know-Like-Trust you. The trust part is obviously crucial.
- Excellent communication skills, including active listening and being a “powerful questioner.”
- Fantastic coaching skills, like an ability to create an awareness (my term “urgency”) in the client, skills in helping people craft goals and plans, and then tact and persuasiveness in making sure they are accountable.
The accountability thing is probably the most difficult, since it means you have to be firm with people. They won’t grow and change unless you hold them accountable. That’s why they are paying you the big bucks. There is lots more on web page, if you’re interested.
Tags: baby boomers, coach federation, coaching, life coaches, success coachesRelated Stories
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3 opinions for Jobs for Boomers: Coaching
ruth
Jul 23, 2008 at 10:25 am
I believe that Coaching is a great idea for a retirement job.If you have the skills and the drive to be a coach, then try being one. If you need more ideas to earn after retirement, try the home course by woody maxim. In no time, you’ll get great ideas for you to earn. What’s so good about the course is that they offer it with money back guarantee.
Ira Dressner
Jul 23, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hi Jean,
I totally agree with you that coaching can be a rewarding career. Ten years ago credentials werejust beginning and many people called themselves coaches. Now coaches need to be trained and credentialed and its not inexpensive. I find that as a coach there is nothing betterthan working with some and assisting them and brainstorming so they can achieve their goals.
Jean
Jul 23, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Thanks to both of you for your insights. I love the idea of being a coach - I figure Small Business Boomers is kind of a cross between coaching and a blog.
Jean
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