Why Learning Coaching Skills Is a Joy: Even If You Don’t Become a Professional Coach

May 05, 2025

There is something deeply moving about witnessing another person experience a profound insight, a moment of clarity that reshapes how they see themselves and their world.

These moments are at the heart of coaching. And they are moments filled with joy, not just for the client, but for the coach holding space, deeply listening to their client and embodying curiosity on many levels to support the client/reflective partner to understand much more about what they brought into coaching - and of course - themselves.

At its core, coaching is about creating the conditions for growth, understanding, and transformation. It’s about listening deeply, asking powerful and stretching questions, reflecting back what is noticed and supporting the client to find their own answers by connecting them with their own inner wisdom - sometimes, for the very first time.

This is versus offering our own wisdom, which may or may not be suitable for the people we want to support.

Following the joy of coaching

When a reflective partner or client steps into a new awareness, even after wrestling with difficult emotions, fears, or long-held beliefs, the shift is often profound. As a coach (or someone practising coaching skills), being present for those breakthroughs brings a special kind of joy: the joy of knowing you have helped light a path without needing to lead the way.

Award-winning executive coach, consultant, and leadership expert, and a Master Certified Coach with the ICF (International Coaching Federation), Sara Barrie says, "When you see those insights that clients get - those lightbulb moments - that's what brings us so much joy as coaches."

Sara, who is passionate about finding joy in what she does professionally and personally, also says: "Coaching is about giving people the time and space to reconnect with themselves and what really matters."

We, at Empower World, wholeheartedly agree with Sara. If we lose the joy and passion for what we do, whether personally or professionally, our work can begin to feel heavy, eventually taking a toll on our heart, mind, and body.

Sara also acknowledges that the work surrounding coaching is not always what feels easy or natural, such as administration or bookkeeping or networking, but they are essential to staying true to our deeper goals and what gives us meaning and purpose.

"Sometimes the things we need to do as part of the coaching journey aren’t our greatest strengths, but they are necessary to support the work we truly love," says Sara

Coaching conversations can also assist us and our clients in 'connecting the dots' between what drains our energy and what truly aligns with our deeper desires and professional or life's purpose.

Coaching skills are life skills

While coaching can be a deeply fulfilling profession, it’s important to understand that becoming a full-time professional coach isn't the only way to experience the joy of supporting others.

In fact, the skills and mindsets that underpin effective coaching can profoundly enhance the lives of others in different areas of our own lives, whether or not we ever formally set up a coaching practice. We can connect to and listen to people at a profound, deeper level, or ask thought-provoking questions to those seeking assistance with their challenges or opportunities.

Learning to coach teaches us how to:

Listen not just to words, but to what lies beneath them
Ask questions that spark real thought and reflection
Hold a non-judgmental space for others without needing to fix or advise
Empower others to trust themselves and their choices
Trust in the process of growth, even when the way forward is not yet clear

These are not just professional competencies: they are powerful human skills that enrich relationships with family, friends, colleagues, teams, and even ourselves.

The real work... and the real joy

Of course, learning coaching skills, like any meaningful growth, takes time, dedication, practice and willingness to step outside our comfort zones.

It’s not about mastering a set of techniques. It’s about cultivating new ways of being: more present, more curious, more open. Sometimes that journey can be challenging: it asks us to grow alongside those we are supporting.

But alongside the commitment comes profound joy - the kind of joy that comes from being able to truly connect with others to facilitate change without imposing it. And it's also acknowledging the courage and brilliance that already exists within people, which they discover because of the powerful, supportive and stretching coaching conversations that take place because of the skills of deep listening, reflective inquiry and empowering questions.

Coaching may not be the professional path for everyone, and that’s okay

Yet the ability to coach to truly support growth, empowerment, and foster insight in others is a gift that can ripple through every part of our lives: as a leader, a family or community member... in any context of life.

When we embrace the principles of coaching, we don't just assist others to transform: we transform ourselves.

Growth happens in conversation, and the powerful skills of coaching support us to make those conversations count.

Be Empowered

Listen to our Podcast!

You can also listen to Sara's wise insights here about her journey to follow the joy can connect to what lights her up as a professional coach:

YouTube: ------ https://bit.ly/YT-Podcast-EP-227

Direct Link: ---- https://bit.ly/Podcast-EP-227

Spotify: ------- https://bit.ly/SP-Podcast-EP-227

iTunes: -------- https://bit.ly/IT-Podcast-EP-227

The Empower World's world-class ICF Approved Professional Coach Training and Leadership Programme's next intake starts on 16 May 2025 in Doha, Qatar. You can find out more here.

Also coming up:

Reignite and Be Inspired Sprints: Designed to support you reignite your coaching confidence, journey and mastery. These include Live sessions consisting of coach skills mentoring, group coaching to support your mindset, and business mentoring to set up a successful business practice - and more - starting 14 June 2025. Find out more here.
Coaching Skills Mentoring Programme with an MCC mentor for ICF credentialing purposes, starting 19 September 2025. Find out more here.