What Does a Coach Do (And What’s Your Job)?
Imagine Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, sprinting toward Olympic gold. In 2008, his coach Glen Mills noticed a hitch in his start—Bolt was losing precious milliseconds. Mills didn’t run faster than Bolt; he asked questions and set drills to sharpen his technique, pushing Bolt to eight Olympic golds. Bolt said, “Mills made me believe I could break records” (The Guardian, 2016). That’s coaching: a partnership where the coach brings structure, and you bring the drive. Welcome to part four of our Coaching for Champions series, where we’ll unpack what a coach does—and what’s on you to make it work.
You might think, “I know my business—does a coach just tell me what I already know?” Nope! As we saw in our last post, coaches spot what you don’t, like a sideline spotter. But coaching isn’t a one-way street. It’s a two-way partnership, like a great doubles team in tennis. We’re not here to sprinkle pixie dust and solve your problems overnight! Let’s break down the roles—coach and coachee—so you know how to score big together.
What Does a Coach Do?
A coach is your partner, not your boss, bringing tools to unlock your potential. Here’s what we do, per the International Coaching Federation’s Core Competencies (2020):
Listen Actively: We give you our full attention, hearing what’s said—and unsaid—to understand your goals.
Ask Powerful Questions: We dig deep with questions like, “What’s holding you back?” to spark insights you didn’t see.
Hold You Accountable: Like a trainer ensuring you hit the gym, we keep you on track to your goals.
Stay Objective: We focus on your vision, not ours, keeping bias out of the game.
Take Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s former COO. Her coach, Bill McGowan, didn’t run Facebook for her—he honed her communication to lead with impact, helping her scale the company (15 Famous Entrepreneurs, artistsinbusiness.com, 2023). Or Usain Bolt, whose coach Mills didn’t outrun him but set strategies to shave seconds off his sprints. As ICF CEO Magdalena Nowicka Mook says, “Coaching is uniquely suited to support people navigating challenges like career transitions” (PR Newswire, 2024). That’s our job: to guide, challenge, and support.
What’s Your Job as the Coachee?
Coaching isn’t a spectator sport—you’re in the game! Here’s what you bring to the table:
Be Open: Share your challenges honestly, even the messy stuff. Vulnerability is your superpower.
Take Action: Insights are useless without follow-through. Act on what you learn, like Bolt hitting the track.
Communicate Needs: Tell your coach what you want—growth, strategy, or focus—so they can tailor the process.
Stay Committed: Show up ready, like prepping for a big game. Consistency wins.
Think of Kobe Bryant, who arrived four hours before NBA games to shoot 250 shots, guided by coaches like J.J. Outlaw (ESPN, 2016). His commitment to practice mirrored a coachee’s role—acting on coaching to shine. A 2024 study found 85% of coaches see rising demand for career challenge support, but success hinges on your engagement (PR Newswire, 2024). Sheryl Sandberg leaned into McGowan’s coaching, practicing new communication strategies to lead Meta. You’re the driver; we beat the path to success.
Why It’s a Team Effort
Coaching is like a great relay race—both sides pass the baton smoothly. We’re not your cheerleader with pom-poms or your fixer; we’re your partner, helping you run faster. Take my government work: I’ve seen leaders transform by opening up to coaching, acting on insights, and staying committed. It’s a two-way street that can reduce turnover by 48% and boost promotions by 41% (coachingfederation.org, 2024). But it only works when you show up.
A Faith-Fueled Perspective
As Christians, we’re called to steward our gifts through partnership. In John 21:15–17, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” three times, holding him accountable to “feed my sheep” and step into his calling. Like Paul guiding Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12), a coach challenges you with love—patient, kind, not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13). Coaching is about committing to God’s purpose together, with you taking bold steps and us cheering your progress.
Your Next Step
Coaching isn’t about us doing the work; it’s about you stepping up with our support. So, here’s our challenge: what’s one step you’d take today if you had a coach in your corner? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear! Check our companion guides for more details on stories like Sandberg’s or Bolt’s to dive deeper.
Next up in Coaching for Champions, we’ll explore when’s the right time to get a coach—and how to find the perfect fit. Stay tuned—it’s gonna unlock new possibilities!
