Why I Love Coaching and Why Everyone Needs a Coach

I recently had a chat with a coach whom I ended up hiring for myself. (Yes, even a coach needs a coach!). She asked me what the greatest lesson had been for me in previous coaching relationships. 

The first answer that came to mind was how it had helped me to achieve external goals I had set for myself. But as I was saying that, I realized that this wasn't entirely true—or, at least, not the whole truth. No, the greater accomplishment was getting to know myself—understanding how and why I think and behave the way I do.

When I first discovered coaching, I never expected it to change my life as much as it has. I always thought coaching was reserved for top executives or people looking to make big career shifts. What I didn’t realize was how much it would help me to become a better version of myself.

What do I mean by this? Before coaching, I wasn’t fully conscious of the beliefs and emotions that formed me. I was moving through life on autopilot, guided by habits and assumptions I never had really looked into or, when necessary, questioned. Coaching helped me slow down, reflect on my thoughts, and understand how they had shaped my actions and decisions—for better and for worse.

For example, during my time in the corporate world, I had often struggled with feelings of annoyance, fear and even anxiety over external factors beyond my control—things like other people’s behavior, their mood, communication styles or feedback systems. These feelings would spiral, creating more negative emotions without any real solutions. Instead of focusing on what I could change, I found myself wasting time complaining—either to others or silently to myself—about how things didn’t work the way I thought they should. It was weighing on me, but I never realized that I could free myself from those emotions.

If I had had a coach during that time, I would have had a safe space to explore these struggles. Rather than getting caught up in what I couldn’t control, I could have put my energy toward what really mattered—things within my control that would have created positive change.

I truly believe that everyone needs a coach, regardless of where they are in their professional or personal lives. 

Even Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, once resisted the idea of having a coach. When he was told, “You need a coach,” his immediate response was, “I don’t need a coach. I’m an established CEO. Is something wrong?” But the answer was simple: “No, you need a coach. Everyone does. Every top athlete, every successful performer, has a coach—someone who observes what they’re doing and helps them reflect: Is this really what you intended?” Schmidt later realized the truth in this advice, stating, “The one thing people are never good at is seeing themselves the way others do. That’s where a coach comes in—to help you see yourself through someone else’s eyes.”

I encourage anyone who feels stuck or uncertain of the changes they want to make in their lives to seek out coaching, not just as a way to advance their professional lives but to grow as a person.

Coaching isn’t just for work challenges—it’s for life challenges. And the sooner we realize that, the sooner we can start living more fulfilled and intentional lives.