Life Coach or Executive Coach: Can I be both?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by my coaching clients during their certification process. It is also a topic I find essential to discuss. As a Co-Active coach, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in any professional or personal area you choose.

Let’s start with a brief distinction between the two concepts:

Life coach: This term typically refers to coaches who work with clients outside of an organizational setting. These clients seek and pay for the coaching process personally, rather than through their employer. Essentially, these clients engage in coaching for personal reasons. The life coach then works with these clients on their personal agendas, topics, and expectations.

Here are 2 common myths about life coaching, along with my perspective based on 10 years of experience in my coaching business and my interactions with hundreds of coaches:

  • “Life coaching is only for personal topics”: One of the cornerstones of the Co-Active model is to focus on the whole person. As Co-Active coaches, we cannot focus on just one area of a client’s life; our approach is always integral. So if you get hired by a client for life coaching, and they want to work on their career, you should be able to work on this together with any other topic they bring.
  • “Life coaching is for individuals, not for companies”: I’ve worked with solid global companies that invest in life coaching for their employees. These programs are designed solely for personal growth, not for business purposes. The expectations, agenda, decisions, and process frequency are determined by the client. These are some of the most transformative processes I’ve been part of. The team member feels highly appreciated by this “gift” from the company, and the work engagement increases.

Executive coach: An executive coach typically works with individuals within organizations or with executives who hire a coach for professional purposes. These clients often seek to develop their leadership skills, improve their positions, or explore career opportunities.

This type of coaching can be funded by a company for its staff members or can be a direct agreement between the client and the coach. In both cases, there is a strong tendency to focus the process on professional elements such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and mentoring, among others. But this focus is not restrictive; in my experience, the company or leader starts the process for professional purposes and continues for the overall development of the person.

As a Co-Active coach, you can work in any niche you prefer. For the sake of this blog post, I’m focusing on the two main types of coaching. However, I encourage you to think about your ideal client; from that vision, your roadmap will become clearer.

For now, let’s discuss the possibility of working as both a life coach and an executive coach. Is it possible?

The answer: ABSOLUTELY!!!

The Power of Duality: Working as Both a Life Coach and an Executive Coach

Let’s explore this dual role with a few powerful questions:

How can I be both a life coach and an executive coach at the same time?

Once you have the training or certification to be a coach, you can mix your career by working with one-on-one coaching for individuals interested in the process. Especially at the beginning of your career, starting with acquaintances or referrals can be beneficial. As you gain more experience, your business will grow. Life coaching is an interesting niche to work in, and social media provides an opportunity to gain popularity through promotion, videos, reels, and sharing engaging content about the benefits of life coaching.

Executive coaching tends to happen if you already have experience in companies, either from holding a position or working as a supplier. This experience is highly valued by companies and leaders. Someone with coaching training and personal experience within an organization is highly appreciated. Additional training and certifications can help you specialize further in your preferred area, potentially increasing your expertise and the rates you can charge.

This way, you can offer life coaching to non-executive clients and executive coaching to leaders and companies. It may sound challenging, but I highly recommend diversifying your business.

Over time, you will learn how to grow your business and which field you find most fulfilling. This experience will help you make smarter choices in the future, based on your own experiences rather than just advice from others.

What are the pros and cons of holding both roles?

Cons:

  • Managing both roles can be demanding, as your time will be consumed by two different “small businesses” that will potentially grow over time.
  • Some people believe it is a waste of time to have two niches when you could focus your energy on one. This is a personal decision that should align with your values, life purpose, and vision.

Pros:

  • Having a wide range of clients can expand your vision and prevent you from developing biases around coaching topics. It also helps maintain a broader perspective on people’s needs outside of companies. I have worked mostly with leaders and coaches, which is a privileged sector, but I also like to have clients outside my main niches to stay grounded.

What is the best choice for me?

The answer depends on you.

  • What do you care about?
  • What is your vision for yourself as a coach?
  • What is your dream for your business? Are you even looking to build a business as a coach?
  • What are your financial expectations?

There is no right answer. I highly recommend working with your own coach to explore all possibilities and beyond. Start trying, embrace failure, and always look to your North Star to stay on track with what makes you feel fulfilled and helps you achieve the life you want.

The Flexibility of Co-Active Coaching

I’ll share something personal here for those who have made it this far. I work as an executive coach with my corporate clients, as a coach and mentor with my coaching clients, and as a life coach with my pro-bono or symbolically paid clients. This balance has allowed me to feel fulfilled and maintain the lifestyle I desire. But this is not a rule! I have colleagues that charge the same for executive clients as for non-executive ones.

So again, the answer lies within you.

In the end, whether you choose to specialize as a life coach, an executive coach, or both, the key is to stay true to your values, passions, and vision for your career. Embrace the journey of continuous learning and growth, and don’t be afraid to diversify and explore different niches. The flexibility and adaptability of being a Co-Active coach allow you to tailor your approach to the unique needs of each client, whether they seek personal development or professional advancement. 

Remember, the most important aspect of coaching is the impact you have on your clients’ lives. By staying authentic and committed to your purpose, you can create meaningful change and achieve a fulfilling and successful coaching career. So, listen to your inner voice, follow your North Star, and let your coaching journey unfold in the most rewarding way possible.