Before I share how I responded, let me say that my mind flashed back to a bible text wherein John the Baptist was in jail and about to lose his life because of his faith, and heard that his cousin, Jesus, was turning water into wine at wedding feasts, being called names by religious leaders, eating in the homes of known sinners, and the like. In short, Jesus didn't fit John's personal image of what a Messiah ought to look like. Consequently, he sends his own disciples to inquire of Jesus, "Are you really the one, or shall we look for another?" It was a question of credibility. (see Matthew 11:2-3) Some 2000 years later, in a very different and highly technological setting, I was being asked a very similar thing regarding credibility -- my own, and that of the coaching profession.

When these ancient disciples confronted Jesus, he responded (I think with a smile on his face) ""Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." (Matthew 11:4-6) In other words, people are getting a great deal of value from my presence in their midst. Put another way -- the "proof" of the value he was offering people was in the results these folks experienced in their lives!

And so it is with the coaching profession! Coaches are not "messiahs" and we don’t "save" anyone in a religious sense of the term. But I can certainly understand how it is that many of those who have spent a great deal of time and money on many of the latest "self-help" books, cassette tape programs and the like, are now shaking their heads and turning a skeptical glance toward the coaching profession, and asking some pretty tough questions. As in the case of my unknown emailer, folks want to know why they should invest any more of their hard earned money and limited time with a business or personal coach. And it strikes me that, when all is said and done, the only answer I can give is of the same ilk that Jesus purportedly offered to John's followers, namely, that the proof of the value we offer is in the eyes of those whose lives and work have been changed by what we do! And so, after thanking him for his note, I responded to him as follows:

"The truth is that most people in our society do not seek to improve themselves as you suggest, as evidenced by the fact that a majority of people spend far more time and money maintaining their vehicles then they do each year on self-improvement. As to your other point, I can only say that I often rely upon my clients to speak to the actual value and benefits of my work, and shall gladly provide a list of those who have indicated a willingness to do so, upon request. Finally, please
know that I am not looking to make a 'quick-buck' -- but am, in fact, making quite a few bucks by engaging in a meaningful long-term relationship with those clients who wish to retain my coaching
services. These are people who realize that a steady diet of the 'fast-food' approach to personal growth and development soon leaves them hungering for something more substantial -- as provided by a Coach who will not leave or desert them, but who will dare to walk alongside them on the path to further discovery and personal growth. This is who I am and what I do as a Life-Coach. Please let me hear from you, again, when you are ready to walk the talk along with me…" I sincerely hope that he, and many others, will one day, be ready to respond to this invitation to experience an abundant new life. [END]

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About the Author:

James S. Vuocolo, M.Div., D.Min. is an ordained minister in the
United Church of Christ, and a business and personal coach who
is on the faculty at Coach University. He also leads group teleclasses and discussion groups on the phone, and in person.
You may obtain many free resources by visiting his website at http://www.SoulBusiness.com, or calling (909) 794-2136 to schedule a free introductory coaching session.

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