### **”I Collaborate with Coaches and Others Who Possess Extensive Knowledge”: Insights from Kate Solovieva’s Coaching Playbook**
Kate Solovieva, a former psychology educator who has transitioned into a Precision Nutrition (PN) Master Coach, has established a distinct niche in the coaching realm: educating and mentoring other coaches. As PN’s Director of Community Engagement, her strengths lie not only in supporting “regular” clients in achieving health and wellness transformations but also in aiding the very professionals who facilitate these changes. For Coach Kate, these sessions transcends traditional coaching; they present chances to address the peculiarities, uncertainties, and victories of those she supports.
Her slogan, “I collaborate with coaches and others who possess extensive knowledge,” conveys a twofold meaning. On one level, it’s amusing, but fundamentally, it highlights a reality: possessing too much knowledge can sometimes hinder effective coaching. Through her involvement in PN’s Level 2 Master Health Coaching Certification program, exclusive coaching communities, and her personal practice, Kate gains invaluable insights into the hurdles and possibilities encountered by both new and experienced coaches.
Below, we delve into three prevalent coaching pitfalls that Kate often identifies, along with the practical solutions she provides to transform those missteps into opportunities for growth and achievement.
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### **Coaching Pitfall #1: Prioritizing Coaching Over Selling**
According to Coach Kate, a fundamental principle for operating a successful coaching business is recognizing that coaching itself is merely one component of the overall equation. To illustrate this, she likens it to a three-legged stool:
1. **The Coaching Leg:** Your abilities and expertise as a coach.
2. **The Selling Leg:** Your capacity to promote your services and attract clients.
3. **The Administrative Leg:** The logistical aspects of your business (e.g., scheduling, payments, and processes).
Many coaches invest enormous energy into the “coaching leg,” striving to hone their coaching skills. This often results in an incessant quest for certifications, literature, and strategies—all aimed at being “prepared” someday. However, as Kate notes, this focus can leave the other two “legs” of the business stool perilously understaffed.
“Coaches need to begin selling earlier,” Kate recommends, “because selling accelerates your coaching experience.” The more practical experience coaches gather, the more proficient they become over time—far more than what theoretical knowledge alone can offer.
#### **Solution: Show Up as a Coach, Not an Authority**
Numerous new coaches hold back from selling due to a fear of not “knowing enough.” Nevertheless, this perspective presumes that a coach’s primary duty is to function as an omniscient expert, prepared to provide encyclopedic answers to every client inquiry. Kate stresses that this is a misguided approach.
Instead, she motivates coaches to be inquisitive, collaborative partners. For instance, instead of delivering a comprehensive explanation about seed oils when a client raises a question, Kate proposes asking: *”That’s an interesting question! What prompts your inquiry?”* By doing this, a coach can reveal the client’s deeper motivations—leading to a more customized and actionable dialogue.
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### **Coaching Pitfall #2: Believing Your Clients Are Just Like You**
It’s common for coaches to (either knowingly or unconsciously) presume their clients think and behave similarly to themselves. After all, many coaches are enthusiastic about health and fitness, prioritize discipline, and partake in activities like macro-tracking or vigorous workouts. However, imposing these preferences and values onto clients can result in misaligned objectives and ineffective action plans.
Kate reminds coaches that not everyone shares their motivations or priorities. Some may prioritize family time over their fitness journeys. Others may face cultural, financial, or lifestyle challenges that influence their capacity to adhere to specific health strategies. Without recognizing these distinctive factors, even the most sound advice may fail to generate meaningful change.
#### **Solution: Evaluate Readiness and Individual Circumstances**
Achieving effective coaching necessitates setting aside personal biases and engaging with each client with curiosity. By posing open-ended inquiries, such as *“What led you to seek coaching?”* or *“What significance does this goal hold for you?”* coaches can unveil their clients’ genuine motivations.
Kate also advocates for utilizing tools such as PN’s “Ready, Willing, and Able” worksheet to assess what actions a client is capable of and prepared to pursue. This ensures that coaching strategies are not only practical but also aligned with the client’s unique context and values.
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### **Coaching Pitfall #3: Becoming Too Emotionally Invested in Client Outcomes**
As a coach, it’s instinctive to feel a deep concern for your clients’ success. After all, their progress mirrors your efforts, and nobody enjoys witnessing a client’s struggle or failure. However, becoming overly emotionally invested in client results can lead to burnout, frustration, and potential conflicts.
“You want to be invested, naturally,” states Coach Kate. “But not more than your client does.”