As you read the word 'coach' what springs to mind? An athlete or footballer? A film about a 1950s high school?? Perhaps all of the above, but if I were to talk about someone getting a life or career coach, in my experience you probably think about a Chief Executive or a Board Member.

When you’re in a situation it can be hard to recognise that you are in it. We all know that feeling when a friend comes to us describing a dilemma (generally an emotional one) looking for advice, and we think it’s a no brainer. In fact, it can often be that we’re wondering why they are even asking at all. You know if the boot were on the other foot, they would instantly give you the same steer.

Confidence can come and go. You might feel super confident giving a presentation to the Board but then like a fish out of water at a party. When you have it you aren’t really aware of it and it never crosses your mind. When you don’t have it, it feels like you can stop noticing it. The strange thing is in either situation, nothing has actually changed, you are still you. The only thing that’s different is your perception of you.

One of the questions that comes up a lot for new coaches (and I expect to a degree, potential clients who wonder what coaching is like) is around whether coaching is about challenging or cheerleading. A good coach will do both, but the real skill is in knowing how much of each is required, for who and when.