# “I Collaborate with Coaches and Others Who Are Overly Informed”: Perspectives from Coach Kate Solovieva
Kate Solovieva, a former psychology professor, Precision Nutrition (PN) Master Coach, and PN’s Director of Community Engagement, is well-acquainted with the world of driven, high-achieving professionals. Throughout her career, she has coached thousands of typical clients while also specializing in mentoring other coaches. This particular role has granted her valuable perspectives into the hurdles, triumphs, and occasionally humorous blunders coaches face on their path to expertise.
Her slogan, “I collaborate with coaches and others who are overly informed,” is not merely witty; it highlights a prevalent issue in the coaching industry—information overload coupled with a deficiency in actionable focus. Through her roles as a coach, PN instructor, and leader of online coaching communities, Kate has recognized various recurring trends among coaches. If you’re a coach aiming to enhance your practice, better assist your clients, and prevent burnout, this guide might significantly influence your career direction.
In this piece, Kate outlines three frequent errors coaches make—and how addressing them can not only help you establish a flourishing coaching business but also make you a more proficient, balanced, and satisfied coach.
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## **Error #1: Prioritizing Coaching Over Selling**
When coaches first enter the profession, they often focus on perfecting their coaching skills. This usually entails acquiring multiple certifications, delving into nutrition science, and stuffing their minds with an abundance of knowledge. While education is undeniably crucial, Kate suggests that an intense concentration on skill development can unintentionally hinder coaches.
She likens coaching to a “three-legged stool” consisting of:
1. **Coaching abilities** (your proficiency as a coach),
2. **Sales abilities** (your capacity to market and attract clients), and
3. **Administrative abilities** (the systems and processes you employ to keep your business functioning seamlessly).
Most aspiring coaches invest significantly in fortifying the first leg—coaching—but overlook the other two. And this is where issues arise.
“You can’t become the best coach you can be while isolated, conversing with yourself in your office,” Kate emphasizes. While accumulating knowledge is essential, waiting until you feel entirely prepared can be counterproductive. In fact, coaches who begin marketing early often achieve far better long-term outcomes—not just in the expansion of their businesses but in their coaching skills as well. Why? Because real-world experience offers vital learning opportunities that no course or textbook can match.
### **Resolution: Present Yourself as a Coach, Not an Authority**
Coaches often feel compelled to come across as experts who have all the answers. This belief, driven by “impostor syndrome,” generates pressure to postpone the launch of their services until they’ve gained an exhaustive level of expertise. However, Kate presents an important mindset shift: **Your clients don’t require you to be a walking encyclopedia. They need you to be a coach who listens and supports them in taking action.**
For example, when a client inquires about a complex health topic, you don’t need to provide an exhaustive lecture. Instead, ask them, “What piqued your interest in that?” Exploring their motivations can illuminate their deeper intentions, helping steer the conversation to tackle the genuine challenge they’re facing.
#### **Main Insight:**
– Concentrate less on portraying the “expert” and more on fostering connection and curiosity during your coaching sessions.
– Don’t wait until you feel fully prepared before marketing your services. Begin coaching now, and let experience bolster your confidence.
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## **Error #2: Believing Your Clients Are Just Like You**
It’s common for coaches to presume that clients possess similar values, habits, and perspectives on health and fitness. But this assumption is often misguided. Kate is quite clear about this: **“There’s nothing inherently superior about prioritizing your health.”** While you may value fitness and meal preparation, not all clients view health as their highest priority—some may value spontaneity, enjoyment, or other facets of life more significantly.
For instance, while you might find macro tracking to be “straightforward and effective,” your client may find it overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Or you may be confused when clients skip workouts for seemingly minor reasons to you, such as not wanting to appear sweaty during the workday. Yet, their hurdles are real to them.
This misalignment can lead to frustration for both sides. Kate advises coaches that their mission isn’t to impose their views on clients but to genuinely understand and respect each client’s unique context, values, and aspirations.
### **Resolution: Begin with Curiosity and a Client-Centered Approach**
The solution to breaking this cycle of assumptions is to enter every client interaction with a sense of curiosity. Instead of projecting your outlook, take the time to evaluate your client’s starting point and ask insightful questions such as:
– “What inspired you to take part in coaching?”