The confronting statistic of the day is: 82% of coaching businesses will fail within two years of starting AND that number should get all of our attention. 

I spend a lot of time thinking about that statistic because as a coach who has been successful in this industry for more than two decades, I don't think I am all that special.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a great coach. However, great coaches fail every single day. So, what do some coaches have that most don't? I think it is both complex and straightforward. 

Coaching is not for everyone - Coaches are a unique breed and successful coaches all share some pretty similar traits that have nothing to do with their niches or investment in marketing training. I honestly believe the reason the failure rate is so high is that too many people love the idea of being a coach but do not have the type of internal orientation that makes it work. 

Coaches that make it in this biz over the long term are have the following qualities, and I would say all of them are equally important:

1. The Empathetic Listener

Life coaches who excel in empathy have a unique gift. They not only hear what their clients say but also understand the emotions and motivations behind the words. Empathetic listeners create safe spaces for exploration and growth, where clients feel heard, understood, and supported on their journey.

2. The Curious Explorer

Curiosity is the fuel that drives exceptional life coaches. They constantly ask questions, seeking to understand their clients' perspectives, beliefs, and aspirations. Curious explorers delve deep into the complexities of human experience, uncovering insights that lead to profound transformations.

3. The Entrepreneurial Risk-Taker

Life coaching often requires taking bold steps and embracing uncertainty. Exceptional coaches with entrepreneurial risk tolerance are unafraid of challenges and setbacks. They see obstacles as opportunities for growth and innovation, inspiring their clients to adopt a similar mindset in pursuing their goals.

4. The Independent Self-Starter

Successful life coaches are often self-starters who thrive in independent work environments. They possess the discipline, motivation, and organizational skills to manage their schedules effectively, stay focused on client needs, and continuously improve their coaching practice.

5. The Resilient Learner

Learning is a lifelong journey, and exceptional life coaches embody a spirit of continuous growth and development. They embrace feedback, seek out new knowledge and skills, and adapt their approaches based on evolving client needs and industry trends. Resilient learners inspire their clients to embrace change and strive for personal excellence.

If you see yourself in this list, and you're interested in becoming a coach with the best skills on the market and a plan to build a sustainable practice, check us out. 

The Coaching Guild is a training coach training program specifically designed to nurture dreamers, artists, creatives, outsiders, rebels, and good troublemakers. You know, the kinds of people who tend to be introverts. It is a multi-instructor, multi-disciplinary approach to training that prioritizes learning innovative foundational coaching skills and marketing training.

If you are interested in coach training done very differently, hit me up for a no-pressure, no BS, no trip, and fall into a sales funnel conversation. Let's talk about what's possible for you as a coach.