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

Kate Solovieva is a previous psychology professor, a PN master coach, and the director of community engagement at PN.

This quote has turned into one of her catchphrases.

Although Coach Kate has guided thousands of “typical” clients, her focus lies in coaching fellow coaches.

In her role as an educator with PN’s Level 2 Master Health Coaching Certification, a facilitator for PN’s exclusive online coaching communities, and a coach in her individual practice, she gains direct insight into the inquiries and obstacles both novice and experienced coaches face.

Coach Kate understands what other coaches are dealing with.

She has witnessed the triumphs and the mistakes of countless coaches, and today, she will discuss three frequent errors she observes them making.

If there’s one thing Coach Kate desires, it’s to witness her colleagues attain remarkable success, so her aim with this article is to assist coaches:

• End the paralysis caused by insecurity and doubt—and start developing their business
• Learn to perceive their clients more objectively, enabling them to best address their needs and objectives
• Clearly define their responsibilities as a coach (hint: they’re not what many coaches imagine)
• Channel their natural enthusiasm and investment in a client’s success—without exhausting themselves in the process

We’ll discuss three prevalent coaching errors, along with the solutions to address them. Let’s dive in.

Coaching error #1: Prioritizing coaching over selling

Coach Kate characterizes a coaching business as a three-legged stool.

• There’s the coaching leg (which comprises your abilities and knowledge as a coach),
• A selling leg (which relates to your capability to promote and attract a steady stream of clients), and
• An administrative leg (which encompasses how clients schedule appointments, process payments, and utilize organizational tools and systems).

“The vast majority of individuals who enter coaching begin with the coaching leg,” Kate remarks.

“They aspire to become the best coach possible, which is fantastic. However, to truly excel as a coach, merely possessing information and theory will only carry you so far.”

As Kate notes, “You cannot evolve into the best coach in isolation, merely conversing with yourself in your office.”

This is why she advocates challenging the urge many coaches feel to delay until their knowledge is “complete.”

Instead, she recommends simply beginning to sell.

Why?

Coaches who commence selling earlier also get to start coaching sooner.

Over time, they will hold an advantage over those coaches who aim to be “the BEST coach they can be” by acquiring 12 certifications before offering their services.

In contrast, the coach who “doesn’t fully understand what they’re doing” but has begun practicing nonetheless will start building their business and coaching experience—and likely enhance their chances of overall success.

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

A common tendency among aspiring coaches is to seek those 12 certifications before they begin coaching.

“Sometimes we cling to the hope that we’ll eventually reach a point where we’re confident enough to address any question that comes our way,” says Kate.

As every coach is aware, once you begin sharing what you do, you will receive questions. Often, they may pose inquiries to which you have no answers, leading to discomfort… even embarrassment.

(You’re meant to be the expert, right??)

According to Coach Kate, this belief—that you should be an authority with all the answers—stems from a flawed assumption.

“When I engage in a coaching dialogue, my role is not ‘the expert