How transformational coaching can change your life

Transformation implies total overhaul.

That might mean new ways of working, completing renovating a house, or adopting a brand new outlook on life. 

Not all change has to be transformational — some shifts are piecewise. You can upgrade your space room by room or start looking for a new job by sending out an application each day. 

But there are times in life when you feel so stuck that taking small steps won’t do the trick. You’re in a moment when you must make a transformational change. 

Transforming the state of your life is far easier said than done. If you’re seeking a massive overhaul in your outlook or lifestyle, you need support. And a transformational coach can provide it. 

Transformational coaching relies on expert advice to guide significant life shifts, demonstrating that no life plan is too rigid to revamp. With the right help, you can change course and reach a more profound and lasting sense of fulfillment.

What’s transformational coaching?

Transformational coaching helps individuals make drastic life changes. Instead of slightly shifting an area of a person’s life, transformational coaches lead clients toward a radically different reality, like a job in a new industry or a move to a new country. 

Clients seeking transformational life coaching must be willing to take a holistic view of their lives and consider what brings them discontent, remaining open-minded to unexpected answers. Unlike situational coaching, where a client might see a desired career change as a goal, the transformational style doesn’t pinpoint objectives.

Instead, this approach digs deep to uproot what isn’t working in a person’s life and morph their perspective. This coaching approach is like career coaching or lifestyle coaching, except for the focus on major — instead of incremental — change.  

The benefits of transformational coaching

Transformational coaching takes a top-down approach, starting with a comprehensive look at your reality and the widespread but lasting changes you want to make. These high-level shifts trickle down into daily life and render the following benefits:

Improved self-awareness

According to BetterUp Labs, transformational coaching pushes you to discover your true desires, regardless of what external pressures, like family members or society, may want. What’s more, this style of coaching process brings you in touch with your talents, reminding you that you can embrace life-changing self-improvements that drive personal satisfaction. With this, you can identify and plan to achieve your ultimate goals. 

A greater sense of possibility

You might rule out options that seem out of reach. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t achieve those goals. Your mind may just be blocking you from seeing a way forward.

Transformational coaching, and its immense power to help you recognize your strengths, can show you how to chart a realistic path toward a new reality. And it doesn’t hurt to have a coach as a motivator and reminder that you can shift your outlook. 

A “village” mentality

The famous adage “it takes a village” refers to the power of having a community that supports your journey. Transformational coaching thrives off this idea, reminding you that significant change doesn’t solely depend on you — you’re allowed to ask for help.

And everyone needs support from time to time. A whopping 43% of Americans have sought coaching support because they wished their life looked differently and needed guidance before taking the next steps.

What to expect from the transformational approach 

In any traditional type of coaching, clients work with their coach to form a goal and action plan to reach it. Then, the program’s entire trajectory focuses on that goal. To do this effectively when handling much broader aims, the transformation coaching model balances the following three pillars: 

1. Awareness: Transformational coaching helps you envision a better life and ensure the projection represents you. It’s not transformational for you to work toward greater wealth if you don’t value money or require increased financial security.But, sometimes, you might stigmatize or feel embarrassed about what you desire, and these coaches work to challenge misconceptions and allow you to feel comfortable fostering a lifestyle you’ll genuinely enjoy. Like any form of life coaching, the first step is identifying what’s not working. 
2. Alignment: This describes the process of linking your self-awareness with outcomes. You might desire stronger interpersonal connections, but one of your goals is to travel the world alone. A coach could guide you to see that more solitary time doesn’t align with the life plan you envision for yourself. 

Action: Aligning your awareness allows you to determine realistic steps forward. While not a goal-driven process, this part of the transformational coaching journey pushes you to set specific objectives related to the shifts in perspective you want to experience.

Who should seek transformational coaching?

Transformational coaching isn’t for everyone, and that’s a good thing. This specialized type of mentorship is for people at a very unique crossroads. You could be a fit for transformational coaching if you check off any of the following boxes: 

• You want to make a significant change but aren’t sure how or are afraid to make the wrong decision
• You know something is off in your life but can’t pinpoint the issue's root
• You’re adapting to shifts in your life and feel out of place or unsure how to move through them
• You want to understand your needs, desires, and goals more deeply
• You struggle with goal-setting because you’re unsure what you want
• You have a major personal or professional development goal (like starting your own business) that your current lifestyle doesn’t support, and you wish to make changes that align with your dream
• Your boss, partner, or loved one has given you feedback about potential changes you could make to improve your lifestyle, and you’re unsure whether you should or how to implement this advice
• You feel like you’re not good enough or sufficiently successful and want to shift your perspective and overcome limiting beliefs
• You’re burned out and need support brainstorming how to create a better work-life balance
• You’re sure about the shifts you wish to make but need an accountability partner to keep you on track
• You want to hone new behavioral skills like self-confidence and motivation

Since transformational coaching isn’t for everyone or every type of transition, here are some situations when you shouldn’t seek this service, instead finding a different mentorship niche: 

• You have a specific goal and only wish to work toward that objective without assessing other areas of your life
• A coach specializing in health, finance, or entrepreneurship could better support your current coaching needs
• You’re not feeling ready to safely or productively make a massive change
• You need mental health care, like therapy, instead of coaching (i.e., if you’re suffering from depression or anxiety)

How to find a transformational coach: 3 tips

Reaching the realization that you want to change your life is huge. You’re now ready to seek a coach’s support. This is another essential and challenging stage in the process — and one that stands to offer significant rewards if you team up with the right person. 

Here’s a guide to finding transformational life coaches that meet your needs. 

1. Analyze the coaching style and credentials

A qualified coach will clearly state their methods and demonstrate a profound understanding of their work. When seeking a transformational coach, ensure they specifically offer this service, as more traditional goal-driven coaching might not offer your desired results. 

It’s also wise to read testimonials and review the coach’s credentials. You can trust markers like certification, educational experience in coach training programs accredited by agencies like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), or a coach’s participation in a reputable platform like BetterUp.

BetterUp’s coaching services for individuals match you with an expert specializing in the type of support you seek. And you can work with your coach virtually, meaning that geography won’t stop you from pairing up with the best fit.

2. See if there’s a connection

When considering working with a wellness professional, make sure you “click.” Schedule a call or trial session to get to know your prospective transformational coach.

You should feel comfortable, safe, and understood when talking to them. If you don’t feel like you’re on the same page, it might not be the best fit. Try several consult sessions until you find a coach that suits your preferences. 

3. Stick with it

Receiving coaching services can feel scary. They might ask you questions you feel hesitant to answer and push you to do hard things, like taking a leap of faith when making a career change. But embrace the discomfort until leaving your comfort zone actually becomes comfortable.

Stick with their guidance to create better habits, because the outcome is worthwhile. You stand to gain a completely transformed outlook on life along with extensive growth in your personal and professional life. You can even find a career transition coach to support you through this process. 

Transform your life with a coach’s help

Asking for help can feel daunting, but transformational change is nearly impossible without knowledgeable and experienced support. You’ve never embarked on this journey before, so having someone to light the way is crucial to staying on track. 

There’s a type of coach for every situation. Coaching can help individuals or organizations that want to make small shifts or completely morph their working methods. Coaches can also help professional teams level up, peers support one another, and individuals find meaningful relationships or careers. And transformational coaching can help you make the biggest change of all: adopting a new outlook.