{"id":6417,"date":"2023-04-24T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T03:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/blog\/nurture-is-nature-for-every-coach\/"},"modified":"2025-02-07T13:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T18:17:19","slug":"nurture-is-nature-for-every-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/blog\/nurture-is-nature-for-every-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurture is Nature for Every Coach!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/research\/global-coaching-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">2020 ICF<\/span><\/i> <i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Global Coaching Study<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the number of coaches has grown to a phenomenal <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">71,000 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A growing coaching marketplace means greater<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> competition<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and the need for coaches to be skilled in attracting and serving their ideal clients. However, many coaches associate <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">attracting <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">with a negative sales-y, somewhat uncomfortable approach to networking and marketing their business. Though they love supporting and serving their clients, they are uncomfortable or feel awkward showing up to sell themselves, or just aren\u2019t quite sure how.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rather than a pushy sales and marketing mindset, I would like to propose a shift toward a more comfortable, confident, nurturing approach to growing your successful coaching business. This <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">nurturing<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> mindset uses the skills every coach \u2014 including you \u2014 already masters, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">naturally<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nurturing can be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/nurture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">defined<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> as<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cto care for and protect someone or something while they are growing.\u201d As humans, relationships are at the center of who we are and what we do. Care and growth represent some of the very reasons many choose to become a coach in the first place. Our most important relationships are worth the time and care we put into them. They form your personal garden and, like plants, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">the relationships at the root of your business need specific care to grow and thrive<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Did you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.signpost.com\/blog\/referral-marketing-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">know<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">92%<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">of people<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">trust referrals from people they know.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[720],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[8]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">65%<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">of new business opportunities come from referrals and recommendations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>82% of small business owners say referrals are their main source of new business.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mic.com\/articles\/112062\/the-way-most-people-meet-their-significant-others-is-not-what-you-think\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">39%<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of relationships begin through friends in common or people we already know (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/6759-friends-at-work.html#:~:text=About%2065%25%20of%20people%20maintain,for%20productivity%20and%20company%20culture%3F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">mostly at work<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Strong relationships \u2014 in private life and in business \u2014 help build meaning, trust, and visibility while providing a space to exchange ideas and be creative. Solid bonds boost self-confidence and growth and are humanly fulfilling for all involved. In addition, by dedicating enough time to building and nurturing your tribe, it will be there for you whenever you need it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">1) Inside: Take Stock of Yourself by Asking the Following:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is my goal and\/or what do I want to achieve?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is my specific ask? (Think about where and how you wish to grow.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li>What are my skills and experiences?<\/li>\n<li>What can I offer for free with no expectation in return?<\/li>\n<li>Who are my connections and where do they hang out? (Think both online and offline.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">2) Outside: Identify Your Tribe<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Identify the right people around your goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Think about your entire community \u2014 extend your curiosity beyond your professional identity including friends, family, and contacts.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t forget about indirect contacts that may be connected with the same or similar tribe (like friends of friends). For an executive coach, for example, HR managers might be good to know because both connect with employees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">3) Show up! 10 Steps to Building and Nurturing Relationships<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Block out time on your calendar every day to show up virtually or physically (via social media, events, articles, blogs, phone calls, and email.).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Work on creating a bond, say their name, and focus more on their interests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Take the first step to ask an open-ended question.<\/li>\n<li>Listen actively, without judgment.<\/li>\n<li>Be sincere and honest, maybe even vulnerable.<\/li>\n<li>Use their language.<\/li>\n<li>Share knowledge or something you can give with no expectation in return (from the questions you answered above).<\/li>\n<li>Give before you get (from the questions you answered above)! Relationships are a two-way street. It feels much better to be a giver than a receiver, and it feels much better to be helpful than to be indebted.<\/li>\n<li>Follow up, show appreciation, and don\u2019t apologize for asking.<\/li>\n<li>Be patient. Relationships take time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Looking over these 10 steps, every coach will notice that they are similar to the very skills we already master: the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentials-and-standards\/core-competencies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">core competencies<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of rock-solid coaching. By confidently applying your natural coaching skills to nurturing relationships, you will create the vibe that attracts your tribe and grows your connections and business. To achieve your new goal(s), it would also be only natural to use one of your favorite <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com\/goal-setting-tools-toolkit-how-when-why-to-use-these-goal-setting-tools-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">goal-setting tools<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> on yourself \u2026 one incremental step at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Coaching is evolving and is available in more ways to support more people<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> than ever before<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Everyone has something to offer to nurture and grow the relationships needed for a fulfilling life and successful coaching business. As a coach, you already have the natural skills you need to differentiate yourself and your business <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">beyond your own expectations<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Now, go rock and roll forward!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The content in this article was explored in depth at ICF Converge 2023. Even if you did not attend, you do not have to miss out. You can access the corresponding session recording, &#8221; Rock &amp; Roll to Expand Your Self, Skills, &amp; Business!,&#8221; as well as 60 other recordings from the event with the <a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/events\/icf-converge\">ICF Converge 2023 On-Demand Package<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the 2020 ICF Global Coaching Study, the number of coaches&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":7036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"The Importance of a Nurturing Approach in Coaching Sessions","_seopress_titles_desc":"A nurturing approach can enhance your coaching practice by cultivating natural relationships. Discover strategies to attract ideal clients today.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"audience-type":[115,118,121,124,120,117,113,114],"display-option":[],"post-type":[128],"topic":[91,60,1322],"_person-tax":[993],"class_list":{"0":"post-6417","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"audience-type-coach-educators","8":"audience-type-experienced-coaches","9":"audience-type-external-coaches","10":"audience-type-icf-chapter-leaders","11":"audience-type-internal-coaches","12":"audience-type-new-coaches","13":"audience-type-professional-coaches","14":"audience-type-team-and-group-coaches","15":"post-type-blog","16":"topic-converge","17":"topic-discover-your-coaching-career","18":"topic-networking-community","19":"_person-tax-993","20":"partnership-post","33":"_person-tax-6022","34":"has-featured-image"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6417"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15418,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6417\/revisions\/15418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"audience-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience-type?post=6417"},{"taxonomy":"display-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/display-option?post=6417"},{"taxonomy":"post-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-type?post=6417"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=6417"},{"taxonomy":"_person-tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_person-tax?post=6417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}