Life Coach/Motivational Speaker:
Who Is A Life Coach/Motivational Speaker?
Life coach/motivational speakers help people achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest.As a life coach/motivational speaker, you will talk to your client(s), help them identify their weaknesses and inspire them to use their strengths to achieve their personal and professional goals. Your motivational sessions could be conducted in groups (corporate events, professional meetings, government functions, etc.), although your coaching conversations with clients will be private. Essentially, life coaches deal with one client at a time, while motivational speakers address groups. Most life coaches have a set list of topics they talk about, although you would improvise from time to time.
Roles & Responsibilities
Understanding your clients’ requirements. As a life coach, you will discuss the needs and goals of your client in detail. You will get a detailed insight into their strengths and weaknesses. As a motivational speaker, you will also understand the expectation of the gathering. This will help you choose an effective method to transform their lives.
Developing a coaching plan. Once you’ve understood your client and their requirements, you will have to establish a coaching strategy and execute it. While you will tackle every situation uniquely, a defined plan will help the client remain focused on achieving their goal.
Agreeing with the client on the terms of the service. Drawing an agreement beforehand will state the expectations of involved parties and provide you with legal security. A coaching or motivational session contract should define the projected number of sessions, confidentiality clauses, code of ethics, etc.
Building a fruitful work relationship with the client. Your client will be sharing their emotions and fears with you. You are about to help them transform their lives. It is essential that you build a trustworthy relationship with them. You should also keep them updated on their progress from time to time.
Evaluating client goals and requirements. You will have to keep checking how your client is progressing. You will have to assess the roadmap you have created and make changes wherever necessary.
Take the Mentoria career assessment, to find out how well-suited you are as a Life Coach/ Motivational Speaker.
What Skills Will I Need To Have To Do This Job Well?
As exciting as this sounds, there are some things you’ll need to learn to do the job right:
ABILITY TO PROBE
You must be skilful enough to ask the right questions and understand the situation with your probing skills, which will help you investigate the case better. Asking the right questions will help you understand their objectives and challenges.
LISTENING SKILLS
To help a client transform their lives for good, you will have to listen to them carefully, understand their shortcomings and work with them towards their goals. Good listening skills will help you understand their situation better.
ORATORY SKILLS
As a motivational speaker, you will talk to large groups about making serious life changes for the greater good. You should be an expert orator or public speaker. You should be able to draw people’s attention to you and hold it for as long as you talk.
DECISION-MAKING SKILLS
You need to step into your client’s shoes while executing a plan for them and understand their situation, strengths and weaknesses. You should be able to decide the best way to help them achieve their goals.
EMPATHY
Empathy allows you to connect emotionally with people. It is different from sympathy as you don’t feel sorry for someone; instead, you feel what they are feeling. However, while empathy is important, you should maintain a professional detachment as well. This will help you make difficult decisions.
What Will My Workplace Look Like?
If you choose to be a private practitioner, you can choose a place and timing as per your convenience. You may coach someone over a voice call or video call. You may even visit their home or office for a session. It is common for life coaches to work from home or set up an office within your residence. If you work for an organisation, your work hours will be decided by them.
Thinking of a career as a Life Coach/Motivational Speaker? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.
What Is My Scope For Career Growth As A Life Coach Motivational Speaker?
Life coaches and motivational speakers are making a huge difference in people’s lives today, which is why the career has gained more prominence.The need for a life coach or motivational speaker is being recognised by individuals as well as corporate houses across the world.
You could begin by working under a life coach or motivational speaker. As you gain enough experience and build your reputation, you can set up your practice and work towards building a team and brand name. You can also offer open house classes to boost people’s morale.
How Much Will I Get Paid?
The accurate figure will depend on your experience, reputation and fame achieved in the profession. But we can give you a general idea.
As a life coach, you will earn anywhere between INR 3,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 annually in India. The average pay for an entry-level life coach is INR 5,40,000 annually.
As a motivational speaker, your income will depend on your reputation. Motivational speakers get paid per event. For a speech in school, you could expect to earn INR 1000 per hour as an honorarium. For a corporate event, the number can rise to INR 10,00,000 for a 30-minute-long speech.
Okay, I'm sold. This is amazing
STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College
There are no specific curriculum requirements at this level. You could pursue the arts stream and focus on co-curricular activities. Build your communication skills, observe leaders and speakers, and pick their qualities. You may watch videos by TEDx or JoshTalks for inspiration.
STEP 2: Graduation
Pursue your graduate degree in psychology; it is the most relevant subject for this profession. However, there is no restriction on your educational background.
STEP 3: Specialised Courses
International bodies like the International Association of Coaching and International Coach Federation provide certification to professional life coaches. There are no similar programmes for becoming a motivational speaker; developing presentation skills and building a brand can take you years.
STEP 4: Land a Job
Once you have the certification and are confident to apply your skill for the benefit of your prospective clients, you can start freelancing or work as a full-time coach.
Congratulations, you are now officially a Life Coach/Motivational Speaker!
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