How Coaching Actually Works
If you have ever found yourself wondering what coaching actually is, or whether it might be useful for you, you are not alone. Despite its increasing popularity, coaching remains widely misunderstood. Some imagine a coach as a kind of mentor, dishing out advice based on personal experience. Others assume it is like counselling, offering a space to explore the past and work through personal experiences.
In truth, coaching is neither of these things. And yet, it can be just as powerful.
At JUST Alex, coaching is a structured, intentional, and forward-looking partnership. It is a space where you are supported to see yourself more clearly, challenge unhelpful patterns, and make grounded decisions about what comes next. It is about growth, but not through striving or perfectionism. Instead, coaching invites you to reconnect with what matters, trust your inner resources, and take conscious action.
So how does coaching actually work? Let us explore the process, principles, and what you can expect from working with a professional coach.
It Starts with You
Every coaching relationship begins with a simple but powerful question: What do you want? Not in a surface-level sense, but from a place of truth. What do you want more of, less of, or different in your life or work?
Sometimes that answer is crystal clear. You might be facing a career decision, grappling with a leadership challenge, or seeking more meaning in your day-to-day. Other times, it feels more like a fog, a sense of stuckness, disconnection, or a quiet knowing that something needs to shift.
Wherever you are starting from is valid. Coaching does not require you to have everything figured out. It asks only that you bring a willingness to explore and engage with where you are, honestly and without judgement.
What Happens in a Coaching Session?
Coaching sessions usually take place over video or in person, depending on your preference. They are one-to-one conversations, typically lasting 60–90 minutes, and take place regularly (for example, fortnightly or monthly).
In each session, you bring what feels most relevant. That might be a recent experience, a decision you are facing, a pattern you want to shift, or a theme you are noticing in your relationships or leadership.
Your coach will ask purposeful questions, reflect back what they hear, challenge assumptions, and hold space for insight. They are not there to tell you what to do. Instead, they act as a mirror and a thinking partner, helping you access your own clarity, strength, and direction.
Between sessions, you may choose to reflect further, experiment with a new behaviour, or explore a tool or framework introduced in your session. Coaching is not ‘homework-heavy’, but growth does happen through practice and awareness.
The Structure and Flow
At JUST Alex, coaching follows a clear structure, one that allows flexibility, but also holds your journey with care and momentum.
You can expect:
A Discovery Process: An initial session or series of conversations to explore what you are hoping to gain from coaching and establish trust.
Goal Setting and Focus: Clarifying what success looks like for you; not just in measurable outcomes, but in how you want to feel, lead, and live.
Core Sessions: A series of coaching sessions (usually 6–12) to unpack challenges, experiment with new approaches, and deepen your self-awareness.
Review and Closure: Space to consolidate your insights, celebrate your progress, and reflect on what comes next.
The Role of the Coach
Your coach is not a fixer, an advisor, or an expert on your life. Instead, they are trained to:
Listen deeply to what is said and what is not.
Ask questions that unlock insight.
Reflect patterns and beliefs that might be holding you back.
Hold you accountable with compassion and clarity.
Trust your inner resources and help you do the same.
At JUST Alex, coaching is thoughtful and human. We bring presence, professionalism, and warmth. You will be met with curiosity, not judgement; challenge, not pressure; support, not solutions.
Is Coaching Right for You?
Coaching is particularly powerful if:
You are navigating a transition (personal or professional).
You feel stuck or disconnected from what matters.
You are growing into a leadership role or seeking to lead differently.
You are ready to invest in your self-awareness and development.
You want to explore the deeper layers of your thinking, feeling, and action.
If you are unsure, our free quiz: Which Type of Coaching Is Right for You? can help you explore where you are and what kind of support might be most aligned right now.
Coaching Is Not Counselling, Mentoring, or Consultancy
Each of these practices has its place, but they are distinct. Counselling focuses on healing from the past. Mentoring draws on someone else’s expertise. Consultancy offers external solutions to specific problems.
Coaching, by contrast, centres your inner wisdom. It is about unlocking your potential, not prescribing a path.
If you are curious about how coaching could support you, start by exploring our quiz or get in touch to arrange a no-pressure, exploratory conversation.