Yesterday, I completed my certification to be a coach using someone else’s methodology. I don’t have the certificate yet, so I’ll leave it there for now. When I was talking with the woman who was doing my final interview in the certification process, I told this story and she said I had to write it down. 

Sometimes being a coach is fun. You get to help people gain insights and solve problems. It can feel really good when a client experiences a breakthrough and transformation. And then there are the times when it’s a little messy and not quite as fun. 

Part of my certification process was shadowing another facilitator. I had already gone through the workshop as a participant, completed the train-the-trainer session, and now I had to go through the workshop again assisting the facilitator. 

My session was rescheduled a few times. Finally, the date was set. I knew the coach who was going to be facilitating the session. I was ready. 

When we logged into Zoom, it turned out I was sitting in on an individual coaching session, not a group session, which felt a little strange – like we were tag-teaming the poor client. 

But the client was actually thrilled that we were able to accommodate his preferred timing and was game to have a bonus coach on his session (me). 

The facilitating coach addressed the other elephant in the room, which was the fact that he had a huge bandage on his nose, and said he might need to go off camera if his nose started bleeding again. 

There he was on what was going to be a three-hour session, wondering if he was going to get a nosebleed and maybe even in pain. Poor guy! 

I give him huge credit because he showed up and brought his A game. We went through the entire curriculum and the client got the guidance and support he needed. 

Toward the end, I was able to add some helpful suggestions and insights. As it turned out, the client wanted to make a career transition and was evaluating next steps, which is my area of expertise. 

This was kind of a strange day and a strange situation, but the facilitator coach only had to excuse himself once or twice, and the awkwardness of it being the three of us ended up working out well for the client. 

This was an unglamorous day in the life of a life coach, and probably not one the facilitator coach would like to repeat, but when you’re a professional, you show up and give it your best. Stuff happens.

I am still chuckling a little as I write this. I hope you enjoyed it. 

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash