This simple test will help you determine if coaching is the right industry for you—and/or if you’re right for coaching.

As you read the following statements, indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with them:

I. People tend to share their stories with you.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

II. You are more interested in understanding another person’s point of view than in getting them to agree with you.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

III. You are curious about other people’s beliefs, values, strengths, passions, dreams and hopes.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

IV. You enjoy having meaningful and deep conversations with others.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

V. You are an open-minded person who accepts different points of view.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

VI. You prefer the role of a thinking partner to being an authority figure or a guru.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

VII. Helping someone find clarity and meaning makes you happy.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

VIII. You are naturally honest, transparent and authentic in your interactions with others.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

IX. You are prepared to view your clients as whole, creative and resourceful.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

X. You would feel ok about being paid for “just talking” to people and helping them as a coach.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

XI. You are looking forward to beginning your coaching education.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

XII. You are excited to start building your coaching business.
5 – Strongly Agree
4 – Agree
3 – Neutral
2 – Disagree
1 – Strongly Disagree

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add up the totals of your answers, giving yourself:

• 5 points for every statement you “Strongly Agree” with;
• 4 points for every statement you “Agree” with;
• 3 points for every statement you are “Neutral” about;
• 2 points for every statement you “Disagree” with; and
• 1 point for every statement you “Strongly Disagree” with.

SCORING:

If you scored 50-60 points, you are a natural-born coach.

If you scored 43-49 points, coaching could be a good fit for you.

If you scored 36-42 points, there is a 50/50 chance you will be happy as a coach.

If you scored below 36 points, you will probably do better in another industry.

After taking this self-assessment, my thoughts below will help you further clarify whether coaching is your true calling.

For those scoring below 48 points, in order to feel happy in this career choice, you’ll have to shift your mindset to “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” with every statement. Otherwise, there will be stress, frustration, and even rebellion—as you will try (consciously or not) to turn coaching into something that it is not (i.e., consulting, mentoring, teaching, advising, etc.) So, if any of your answers were “Neutral”, “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree”, answering these coaching questions honestly may prove to be useful:

• What made you mark your responses the way you did?
• How important are those views for you?
• How ready are you to replace them with an opposite point of view?
• What would be the cost of that to you?
• Would it be worth it?

Just as any profession, coaching is not for everyone. What really distinguishes coaching from other helping professions is that we view our clients as being “whole, creative, and resourceful”. We hold them in “unconditional positive regard”. These phrases are taken directly from the International Coaching Federation’s definitions of coaching and their core competencies that define coaching behavior and mindset.

Considering that perspective, a coach is curious about their client’s points of view, behavior, beliefs, values and strengths versus being curious about any situational information. Since the client already has all the situational information, asking about that would serve the coach, not the client. However, for another helping professional it may be required to gather all the information in order to figure out the best way forward for the client. Alternatively, the coach’s questions and reflections would be helping the client determine their own way forward.

There is no reliance on the coach to provide the answers. There is no pushing or pulling from the coach. There is no agenda from the coach. Instead, there is an invitation for the client to decide what they would like to discover, talk about, and achieve at every coaching session. The client is always in charge of the direction of the coaching conversation and decides if it’s serving them well in the moment.

In other helping professions, the professional decides on the way forward during the sessions. They decide on a specific approach and how each session should be evolving. In coaching, it is done in full partnership, with the client having the leading voice. That alone brings about lots of different techniques and approaches that are unique to coaching.

The attitude of regarding the client as “whole, creative and resourceful” is of utmost importance.  A desire to “rescue” changes that attitude completely. You simply can’t be in full partnership with someone you feel any responsibility for rescuing them. It doesn’t necessarily mean that this person can’t be coached. However, it does mean that they can’t be your client.

Another aspect is the consideration of starting your own business. Most people are just not comfortable with the unpredictability in terms of income that comes with having your own business. However, there is no need to quit your day job prematurely.  “All or nothing” thinking creates stress and isn’t helpful. You can cultivate your coaching business and allow it to blossom to the point when the decision to focus on it 100% becomes evident and organic.

There may also be an emotional challenge of charging money for “just talking” to people. It may take some self-convincing that what you do is valuable and that you offer something unique and real. Completing a professional Level 1 or Level 2 training at an ICF-accredited school and gaining experience may help in elevating your self-confidence and belief in yourself as a coach.

Choosing your calling is a very important decision. Our alumni and I are standing by in case you would like to test-drive coaching by volunteering to be coached in one of our classes (for free) or by hiring us. We’ll be happy to mirror your thoughts and ask provoking questions that will bring you more clarity as to whether the coaching profession is your “jam”.