What Is a Performance Coach? Meaning & FAQs
What Is a Performance Coach?
A performance coach specializes in helping individuals enhance their performance in various aspects of their lives. While often thought of as a resource for “physical” performance, this type of coaching has evolved far beyond the sports world in recent years. Today, performance coaches span the worlds of business, arts, entrepreneurship, and personal development.
Performance coaching is all about optimizing systems, habits, and routines to achieve one’s fullest potential. Some coaching clients in this space want to simply get more done. Some seek to enhance the quality of their work. Others hire a performance coach to help them take a holistic look at what’s working vs. what’s not.
As with any form of great coaching, the process is designed to meet you wherever you are in your life or career. No matter your situation, a coach helps you develop and pursue a roadmap to success, highlighted by goals and action plans. Along the journey, you’ll benefit from the consistent support, accountability, and encouragement of your coach.
What Does a Performance Coach Do?
A performance coach plays a crucial role in guiding individuals towards achieving their highest potential. What can you expect in working with one? Here are some of the cornerstone focuses of performance coaching engagements.
Setting Goals: As with most types of coaching, the early stages of most engagements focus on goal setting. After learning about your situation, your coach will collaborate with you on setting aspirational yet achievable goals related to performance. This provides a clear roadmap for the journey ahead.
Identifying Barriers: A key aspect of performance coaching is identifying and addressing barriers that hinder progress. These can be mental blocks, bad habits, or external challenges. A coach helps their clients manage hurdles while increasing motivation.
Skill Development: Performance coaches work on enhancing specific skills relevant to the client’s goals. This could range from leadership skills in business to mental resilience in sports to effective communication in personal relationships.
Consistency & Accountability: Coaches act as accountability partners, ensuring that clients stay committed to their goals. Engagements involve regular check-ins (i.e. weekly or monthly) which offer opportunities to check in, hear feedback, and ensure consistent progress.
Emotional Support: Great performance coaches also provide emotional and psychological support. Think of them as your go-to partner to help navigate stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges that may arise during your journey.
Growth Mindset: An essential part of a performance coach's role is to encourage and evoke a growth mindset in their clients. Improving performance in any context requires a fundamental belief that growth is not only possible, but attainable. (Note: Coaching with an extra emphasis on this point may also be referred to as mindset coaching).
Note that there is no standardized answer to the question: What does a performance coach do? While coaches in this space are likely to focus on any number of the above topics, remember that every coach has their one approach. Coaches lean into certain areas of focus as needed by their clients. This should be celebrated by those considering coaching, as it’s a testament to the customizability of this development resource. Every engagement is unique.
Variations of Coaching in This Space
For those seeking the perfect coach, it helps to understand how coaches in the space tend to brand themselves and their services. The following variations are generally similar. However, a quick search around for a performance coach reveals just how nuanced the space can be.
Mental Performance Coaching
A mental performance coach helps clients enhance their mental skills and psychological strategies. Mental performance coaching may hold relevance for anyone wanting to improve performance in sports, school, or other high-pressure environments. Skill development here may revolve around improving confidence, focus, and stress management.
Business Performance Coaching
A business performance coach supports individuals and/or teams to improve their skills, strategies, and overall performance in business contexts. For these specialists, their scope of work is typically confined to the business world, and their coaching may resemble adjacent services, like productivity coaching or executive presence coaching (other coaching focuses with direct relevance to business).
High Performance or Peak Performance Coaching
A high performance coach—also called a peak performance coach—helps clients reach their absolute peak potential and achieve exceptional results in their specific field or discipline. This variation may be particularly relevant for those who are already “a-players” but want to push themselves to achieve even more. High performance coaching may resemble success coaching at times, because both aim to optimize one’s output for the absolute best results.
Performance Coaching FAQs
Still curious about performance coaching? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most common FAQs on the topic to help guide you through the basics.
What is the difference between a performance coach and a life coach?
Life coaching typically takes a broad approach to personal development, addressing a wider range of topics like personal growth, relationships, and work-life balance. In general life coaching, the overarching focus is not necessarily about reaching peak performance.
How do I know if I need a performance coach?
You might consider a performance coach if you're looking to reach new heights in a particular area of your life that demands high performance. If you're feeling stuck, unable to progress, or want to maximize your potential, a performance coach may provide the guidance and support you need.
What can I expect from a performance coaching session?
In a performance coaching session, you can expect goal setting, progress tracking, personalized strategy development, and feedback. Sessions often include discussions, exercises, and action plans tailored to your specific needs and objectives. Most coaches hold sessions for 30 minutes to an hour.
How long does performance coaching typically last?
The duration varies depending on two things: The client’s needs and/or the coach’s offerings. Some people engage in longer-term coaching relationships that last several months or even years. Others try coaching for shorter time frames, and some coaches sell packages for, say, 3 or 6 months.
Can performance coaching be done virtually?
Yes, performance coaching can effectively be conducted virtually. Many coaches offer online sessions through video calls, allowing for flexibility and convenience. Virtual coaching has become increasingly popular, providing access to coaching services regardless of geographical location.
Is performance coaching only for certain people?
The short answer is no. For example, performance coaching is not limited to athletes or tech executives. Anyone seeking to improve their performance in any area of life can benefit. The principles of performance coaching can be tailored to suit the unique goals of individuals from all walks of life.
Finding the Perfect Coach
Finding the perfect performance coach for you will likely involve research, networking, and inquiring directly with coaches who look promising. It's important to find someone whose expertise aligns with your goals. Just as importantly, you want a coach whose style and personality resonates with you. Here are some pro tips to help.
Searching and Networking: Start by searching online. A simple Google search can lead you to various coaches specializing in your area of interest, whether performance for business, sports, or personal development. Also, don't underestimate the power of social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Many coaches can be discovered and contacted through these platforms.
Engaging with Relevant Folks: Get active in communities and networks related to your fields of interest. Interacting with people who share your situation can provide firsthand referrals and insights about different coaches. For example, a startup founder may consider posting in a subreddit for entrepreneurship, asking members who they recommend.
Compatibility Calls: With some coaches targeted, the next step is to gauge compatibility. Most coaches offer initial consultation calls for free. These calls are not just for the coach to understand your needs but also for you to assess the coach's approaches, energy, and personality. It's key that you feel comfortable and motivated by the coach, as the relationship you build will shape your coaching journey.
Finally, remember that the right coach for someone else might not be the right coach for you. It’s about finding a balance between expertise, coaching style, and personal compatibility.
Take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts. To help get your search started, feel free to browse CoachRanks’ short-list of trusted coaches using the button below.
