What does the Complete Coach look like?

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Here at the-Coaching Blog-run by Gerard O’Donovan, our aim is to constantly bring value to those seeking to improve their lives. Therefore we have a policy of publishing articles and materials by guest authors whom we value and appreciate. Today’s guest author is Gail Morgan(United Kingdom).
What is the most overlooked ‘missing piece’ when helping individuals with confidence and achievement goals? (Particularly when coaching on public speaking nerves, interview technique &/or self-assurance in the workplace.) It is how the individual presents themselves.
We are probably all familiar with, and no doubt regularly employ, the famous ‘Mehrabian’ model around communication (7% words, 38% tone, and 55% body language). But do we always present both sides of the ‘body language’ equation? Because the rarely taught subject of appearance, or the way we look, is such a critical element of the message our body language portrays.
First impressions really do count, so how we speak, the way we stand and how we are dressed will often tell someone a lot more about us, than the words that we use. If we make a “bad” first impression it has been found that it can take up to 21 further interactions to get back on a “level playing field”.
Then there is the other side of the ‘looking great’ issue too…
As coaches, we are fully aware that it is what’s on the inside that really makes the difference to a person’s outward appearance and their level of personal achievement. But it is the outside world which often influences those thoughts and emotions in the first place and managing that is not always easy. However, one area that can be totally under the control of the person being coached, or even the coach themselves, is that of personal appearance. The way someone looks externally can have a massive effect on the way they feel about themselves on the inside and this, in turn, can hold the key to so many other aspects of their overall confidence and potential.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing… especially with fashion!!!
Well, perhaps it’s not about fashion exactly; but whilst knowing that the way someone looks is really important for their personal confidence and the impression that they give to others; not knowing how to help them get there, kind of defeats the object. And even ‘having an eye for what looks good’ can never replace a full understanding of the powerful science behind colour analysis, style and personal branding. This knowledge is the ‘missing piece’ which can turn a good coach into a great one and a client that simply ‘feels better’ into one who wins their race, gets that new job, or overcomes their insecurity battles.
The doctor who ‘looked the part’
I have worked as an image consultant for over 20 years, working with both private and corporate clients and training others to join to image profession. During this time I became an NLP Master and MBTI Practitioner and began coaching people in personal and corporate environments. Combining the image and coaching skills has given me a more holistic approach to working with my clients and I have been privileged to play my part in some fantastic success stories such as David’s… (Not his real name).
After working as a hospital doctor for several years David had collected all the experience and qualifications he needed to become a consultant; and over a period of three years he consistently applied for the position. His aptitude was never questioned and the feedback from his patients was impeccable, but he was continually rejected and was once told by a senior manager that ‘he would never make it’. When I started working with him it quickly became apparent that confidence, self-belief and a subconscious fear of authority figures were the main factors affecting him. He felt that the examination board didn’t like him and at times it even got to the point that he became unable to speak under their questioning.
The immediate impression that I received when meeting David for the first time however, was how small and nervous he looked when not dressed in his white coat and stethoscope. And because he never went before the examining board dressed “as a doctor” I wondered if there might be a connection. Re-styling his wardrobe became a major factor alongside our coaching sessions and after 18 months David secured the consultant position he had desperately wanted for so long. On talking to the senior management afterwards, one of the people who had previously been very hard on him said that a key factor in their decision was “that he now looked the part”.
Congruency is the key to improving coaching success
So whatever type of coaching you do, my advice would be to look at all the angles, and become proficient in making your clients aware of everything that will help them… including their image. If your client’s behaviour and demeanour isn’t congruent with their appearance they unfortunately won’t be seen as believable. As humans we believe what we see and if there is a “disconnect” between how we look, sound and behave it can make us suspicious. So to complete your client’s coaching experience consider offering image coaching so that they can be congruent from the inside out.
Gail is one of the most experienced and highly qualified image coaches and trainers in the industry. She is passionate about simplifying the art of getting dressed so that her clients feel comfortable and confident in their clothes. Gail has been an image consultant for over 20 years, working with thousands of private and corporate clients and delivering image training to numerous people around the world. In that time she has been President of the Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI), an Assessor for the FIPI / City & Guilds Master Award in Image Consultancy and a Consultant Fashion Advisor for John Lewis Partnership.
www.studyinstyletraining.com
info@studyinstyletraining.com
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