According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), coaching is not a process, it’s a mindset. This mindset enables people to use their internal and external resources to achieve desirable outcomes. Think of talented athletes who are yet to reach the peak performance. They have what it takes and yet it takes hours of coaching and practice sessions to get there. Indeed, we can all do with some element of coaching in our lives to elevate our abilities and unleash our untouched potential.

The Essence of Coaching

There is no doubt that cybersecurity professionals are some of the most talented people today. However, it takes more than talents to achieve personal and corporate goals. In previous articles, I wrote about reasons to consider a career in cybersecurity and effective ways to get started in cybersecurity. While these are good and efficient measures, they are not enough to remain successful in the industry.

At some point in your career journey, you will feel the need to shift. There will be a desire to change your present circumstances and seek out other opportunities. This desire for change comes with uncertainties and that is when coaching becomes most relevant. So, whether you are entering the cybersecurity field as a first timer, transitioning as an experienced professional from another industry, or you intend switching to another division within the cyber industry, you are very likely to achieve desirable outcomes with a coach.

What Coaching Entails

Change can be a frightful and daunting experience. No wonder many people resist change and simply stick to what they know and are accustomed to. For the brave who dare to embrace change and seek out new and better opportunities, the presence of a coach ensures there are no trial and errors.

Through powerful questioning and insightful conversations, coaching ensures people discover their own solutions for self-improvements and lasting change. To bring this principle to life, let’s examine three such questions and determine their impact.

Who Are you?

In crucial life decision-making moments, career shifts and business challenges, coaching helps you to think and see yourself differently. Coaching interactions bring to life aspects of yourself you were unsure of or simply didn’t know existed. However, when these aspects are brought to life, it helps pave the way forward and creates new possibilities. Coaching helps you identify, connect with and appreciate who you truly are at a particular moment in time. Through coaching people recognize and make use of their internal and external resources. Consequently, this reorients people beyond present struggles and circumstances. For instance, it can help match your personality to one cyber field or another.

Where are you going?

Secondly, every successful journey requires a defined destination. With numerous branches in the field of cybersecurity, this is far easier said than done. The more abstract the destination, the more significant coaching is. Coaches evaluate if you are headed in the right direction or more suited somewhere else. They also help discover unknowns about your intended destination before you commit to it. To illustrate, it can help determine aspects of the cyber career you connect with the most and the depth of your commitment to the profession.

Why are you going there?

Thirdly, coaching dialogue brings purpose. Why do you want to get to your intended destination and achieve your career goal? What are your motivations and are they sustainable? Through coaching you will count the cost of the change you seek and determine it’s worth it. You will also discover if you have sufficient willpower to achieve your goals of fulfillment, balance and progress.

The Ultimate Benefits

Coaching is like a toolkit for life. It sharpens your abilities, refines your focus and helps you attain new heights. Coaching helps you create dominant patterns of success in your life. Whether you are starting out, transitioning, mid-way in your career or anticipating your next big move, you are better off with a coach. Coaches provide life giving motivations to navigate these unchartered waters while owning the entire process.

I am certain these passages have given you food for thought about your need for a coach.  If you would like to learn more about my cybersecurity coaching offers, click  here. At the end of the process, you will carry within yourself, the power to positively influence others through your presence, work and capabilities.