“I collaborate with coaches and others who possess extensive knowledge.”

Kate Solovieva, a former psychology professor, PN master coach, and PN’s community engagement director, embodies this statement.

This quote has transformed into one of her signatures.

Although Coach Kate has guided countless “ordinary” clients, her focus lies in mentoring fellow coaches.

Through her role as an educator with PN’s Level 2 Master Health Coaching Certification, a facilitator for PN’s private online coaching networks, and as a coach in her own private practice, she gains direct insight into the queries and hurdles both novice and experienced coaches encounter.

Coach Kate is aware of what other coaches are engaged in.

She has witnessed the successes and the missteps of thousands of coaches, and today, she’s set to reveal three frequent errors she observes them committing.

Coach Kate aspires for her colleagues to attain tremendous success, so through this article, she hopes to assist coaches in:

• Cease feeling immobilized by uncertainty and fear—and commence expanding their business
• Learn to perceive their clients in a more objective light, thereby best fulfilling their needs and ambitions
• Clearly define their roles as a coach (note: they are not what many believe them to be)
• Channel their intrinsic passion and commitment toward a client’s success—without exhausting themselves

We will delve into three prevalent coaching pitfalls, along with the remedies to address them. Let’s dive in.

Coaching error #1: Prioritizing coaching over selling

Coach Kate likens a coaching business to a three-legged stool.

• First, there’s the coaching leg (representing your skills and knowledge as a coach),
• Then, a selling leg (which pertains to your capacity to market and attract clients), and
• An administrative leg (covering how clients arrange appointments, process payments, and other organizational tools and systems).

“Most individuals entering the coaching field begin with the coaching leg,” Kate observes.

“They aim to become the finest coach they can be, which is fantastic. However, to truly excel, information and theory have their limits.”

As Kate notes, “You cannot become the best coach you can be in isolation, conversing with yourself in your office.”

Thus, she recommends challenging the impulse many coaches feel to hold off until their knowledge feels “complete.”

Instead, she encourages them to simply start selling.

Why?

Coaches who commence selling earlier also begin coaching earlier.

With time, they will hold an edge over those coaches who want to be “the BEST coach they can be” by obtaining 12 certifications before offering their services.

Meanwhile, the coach who “is still figuring things out” but has started practicing will advance their business and gain coaching experience—likely enhancing their chances of overall success.

Solution: Aim to present yourself as a COACH, not an EXPERT

A natural tendency exists among aspiring coaches to pursue those 12 certifications before they embark on coaching.

“At times, we cling to the belief that we’ll reach a stage where we confidently tackle any question thrown our way,” Kate remarks.

As every coach understands, once you begin expressing what you do, questions will follow. Often, these will include inquiries that you cannot address, which can lead to discomfort… or even embarrassment.

(Are you not supposed to be the expert, right??)

According to Coach Kate, this notion—that you must be a source of authority with all the answers—is grounded in a fallacy.

“When I enter a coaching dialogue, my responsibility isn’t to be ‘the expert