23 July 2023

Carrie White, one of the leads in our new Internal Coaching Special Interest Group, writes about the opportunities and rewards of becoming an internal coach.

Many businesses develop their staff to be technically capable in their roles, and if they are in a leadership role, they also develop them to lead and develop others. It’s this second type of development opportunity that leads to people gaining an interest – or more importantly a passion – for coaching others.

Becoming an internal coach may seem like a daunting role to take on alongside other workplace responsibilities. But if it is managed correctly, coaching can be both an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Here’s why.

Research has shown that helping others releases serotonin, a hormone which boosts our mood and improves our mental health. As well as elevating happiness, helping others can lower your blood pressure and lengthen your lifespan. So by helping someone else, you are essentially helping yourself!

If you’re thinking that becoming a coach on top of your already busy schedule will lead to extra stress and potential burnout, you might actually find that it is just the thing you need. That is because coaching others can help us feel less overwhelmed and anxious by reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

There are also plenty of ways to effectively manage your time, a personal favourite of mine being a good old fashioned to do list! Or why not try introducing an hour of protected time into your diary; time that is ring-fenced for you to do something just for you, whether you spend the time meditating, going for a walk outdoors (bonus points if it’s in a green space), or giving your time to something you’re passionate about.

This is where internal coaching could be just the ticket. That’s because many coaches create time for coaching because they are passionate about helping others, and giving something back.

Remember, your mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity, and we need to start treating it like one. By taking an hour out you’ll find that when you come back to work your mind is clearer and more productive.

If you’re new to coaching, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable about having influence over the lives of others. But being a coach is not about telling someone what to do. Don’t try to ‘manage’ the people you coach. Instead, your goal is to help them explore the different possibilities and perspectives around them. By helping them learn more about themselves, you may also learn a thing or two about yourself!

Find out more about our Internal Coaching Special Interest Group

Image by Arlington Research on Unsplash