Life coaching coming into public awareness

Mark Peysha, CEO, of Strategic Intervention (USA) stated in his email report called “The Future of Coaching”, that the Coaching Industry is much like other previously un-heard of professions or practices such as chiropractic or yoga, only 15 years ago.

Currently, Mark said, “in coaching we are seeing a remarkable surge in public awareness. People are learning what coaching is. Like yoga, life coaching is going from an obscure, complicated process that’s hard to explain… to something everybody gets intuitively. Yoga was once rare – now it’s standard. So, too, for coaching”.

Life coaching is listed as the 2^nd highest growth industry globally. The ICF’s website FAQ page stated there is estimated to be 47,500 professional coaches internationally.

Within Australia however life coaching coming into public awareness was slower than in the United States. I receive enquiries from women who are unsure what life coaching actually is as compared to a therapy or counselling service.

In undertaking market research prior to the launch of Susan Dunlop Coaching, I found there were many articles criticising coaching, for various reasons. The main theme being that it is:

• an unregulated industry,
• coaches may not be qualified,
• some older style self-help gurus have tarnished the industry’s reputation even before it’s really got started!
• “Anyone can call themselves a coach” is a common thread.

As a relative newcomer to the coaching industry since 2017, ie. 5 years ago now, I joined the International Coaching Federation and, like them, believe that accountability is important. That the future of the industry will be led by coaches who may be held to a higher standard, must produce real, measurable results and use practical skills in coaching clients.

Every industry needs a measure, a space that is above the line in terms of quality or a space below the line, where money is the driver for being in business, mostly. Coaching isn’t about seven digit figures. That’s not a WHY that is a healthy driver for doing well in business. There are far better WHYs to aim for. 

Let me help you find your WHY for whatever it is that you want to be, do and have. Contact me for a first session and we can take it from there.