When it comes to coaching, no one does it quite like you. But when a potential client is scanning a list of coaches in their area, they may not immediately see what sets you apart — unless you make it clear to them with a concise and powerful coaching philosophy statement.
Your coaching philosophy is the intersection of your niche and unique approach to the practice. It shows future clients how you’ll approach working with them and what methods and strategies you’ll implement — and it may be the reason a client walks through your door or turns away. As a result, this philosophy can shape the type of clients and work you’ll attract, so it’s crucial to craft the perfect statement.
What is a coaching philosophy?
A philosophy describes your approach, values, and guiding principles as a coach. You can think of a coaching philosophy as a mission statement that expresses the uniqueness of your services and the type of professional you aim to be. It should give clients an idea if your services are right for their needs before they schedule an intake appointment to find out more.
The best coaching philosophies are:
- A straightforward guide to your services.
- A framework for your practice.
- An outline of your values and their relevance to your coaching.
- A benchmark for the quality of your services.
How to write the best coaching philosophy
The term “Philosophy” may call to mind college seminars or long hours spent poring over complex texts. But even though writing a philosophy sounds difficult, crafting a great coaching statement doesn’t have to be painful, as long as you have a clear idea of the services you wish to offer and what guides you. Here’s how to write a coaching philosophy:
- Describe why you coach: Wax poetic on why you’re in this industry and want to help others. If you’re in a particular niche, describe what drew you to it.
- Describe how you coach: Outline your approach and any particular methodologies you use.
- Identify your ideals: Write your core values and the ethics and beliefs guiding your practice.
How to identify your core coaching values
Pinning down your values is a can’t-miss step in the writing process. It’s not enough to say that you want the best for your clients — everyone does. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you brainstorm what’s most important to you:
- What unique skills and traits do I bring to my coaching sessions?
- What’s my definition of coaching?
- Why is coaching important to me?
- What drew me to this field?
- What help would I want during a difficult time or significant shift in my life?
- How would I describe a coaching relationship?
- What type of coach do I want to be?
Understanding the values behind your profession
Once you’ve pinpointed your motivations for coaching and the type of coach you want to be, it’s time to take these discoveries and turn them into the values that will guide your practice. These values will be the foundation of your coaching methodology. Some include:
- Mutual respect: Approach your clients as equals
- A positive attitude: Act as a role model for clients who lack motivation
- Integrity: Keep client data safe and establish a safe space for open conversation
- Organization: Stay on top of your administrative tasks so you arrive to coaching sessions on time and prepared
- Active listening: Focus on the unique case each client brings to the table
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Coaching philosophy examples
Reading through examples of strong coaching philosophies can inspire your creativity. Before you put pen to paper, check out these mock-ups:
Health coaching
I believe everyone deserves to live their best life — and that begins with optimizing one’s physical health.
My mission as a health coach is to help clients change their lives by forming positive and productive habits. In my practice, I help clients identify the barriers preventing them from feeling good in their bodies. Then, we work together to set a realistic strategy and attainable goals to overcome these barriers.
I’m not shy about holding my clients accountable to their goals, but I value a healthy and open relationship above all else. I promise to act as a mentor, motivator, and cheerleader to my clients as they work to feel happy, healthy, and confident.
Business coaching
Many people discard their dreams because they’re afraid of failure. But risks are an important part of life — self-doubt has no place holding you back from a bright future.
I help entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives reach professional goals they never thought possible. I believe there’s no such thing as failure — only opportunities to change course. As a coach, I empower my clients with the skills they need to think on their feet, overcome obstacles, and stay laser-focused on success.
I know you can achieve that milestone. Let me help you get there.
Life coaching
When bad habits pile up, you can feel buried in them. It becomes impossible to dig out on your own — so let me lend you a helping hand.
I’m a life coach with over 10 years of experience helping people make positive changes in their day-to-day lives. I work with clients to weed out bad habits at their roots and sew new seeds of success. I believe that kindness and compassion are the cornerstones of growth, and I carry this mentality into every session.
Sharing your coaching philosophy
Once you’ve written your coaching philosophy, don’t keep it a secret. Share it in email blasts, on your website, and on your social media accounts. When you meet with a potential client, review the statement with them and see if they have any questions about your coaching style.
Chances are your philosophy will bring in new clients—and we can help you stay organized amidst all that new business. Practice’s customer relationship management (CRM) tool is specifically designed with coaches in mind, allowing you to schedule sessions, safely store client data, receive payments, and send documents in one digital space.
