Josh: So Christina, I want to jump into this Q&A session.
Cristina: Yeah, let’s do that.
Josh: I'll be candid... the goal is to keep this a very casual conversation. The purpose of this interview is to give people insight into the importance of coaching and your coaching practices.
So to start off, how you initially got into coaching?
Cristina: I’ve always been really interested in psychology and how the mind works, motivation and habit patterns, procrastination, etc. Basically, why are some people able to do some things while others aren’t or seem so unable to? I really wanted to understand that. However, I already had a college degree from a previous university. So, for me, getting into psychology seemed too much. I thought I’ve read a lot of books about it, and I keep reading about it, so why not get into coaching? It seemed more accessible for me at the time. It was during COVID. I was in my house going crazy and thinking, “okay, this is the time to learn more about all this so that I can accompany other people.” That’s when I looked up courses. I found one in Barcelona, which was where I lived back
then. I trained for a year and really got into it.
Josh: Wow. Amazing.
Cristina: Yeah, I love it.
Josh: What would you say is the most important aspect you have found about coaching for the coachees?
Christina: As a coach, I’ve learned something very important. And we don’t know more about people than they do. People have all the power to be whatever they want to be. However, when someone doesn’t find or know what they want to be, there is a coach who can accompany them to discover and unlock it. But it’s not as if we can magically give you that power. What sticks out the most is that we all have it inside. See what I mean?
Josh: I see what you mean. Those little nuggets show people that coaching can bring out the best in you.
Cristina: Exactly. That’s it.
Josh: Regarding matriculation through your coaching school, would you say that your teachers, in a sense, are your coaches?
Cristina: In my case, I had six different regular teachers, two of them were the main ones. And then the other four were doing master classes and little workshops. My main two teachers were people that I personally wouldn’t consider my coaches, but that doesn’t mean that they were not good coaches. It’s just that I didn’t click with them, which is something that I think is super important. Your coach is not superior to you.
They are your equals and will accompany you in that way. So, you should have someone by your side who has a similar vibe and view to yours.
Josh: What would you say are good qualities to look for in a coach?
Cristina: First of all, openness. I would say that it’s essential that your coach is open to questions - as in, open to answering questions from a client or a coachee. In the first session, you set some bases. People will open up to you a lot. I’m not a psychologist, but people want to be closer to people. Openness is very important so people feel they can trust you. Reciprocity, you know?
Secondly, of course, as a coach, you must know very well how to listen to a person in an open and non-judgmental manner. Nobody should judge anybody, as a general rule, but that’s not true in society. In that sense, a coach is a person you expect won’t judge. So, look for a non-judgmental, active listener as your coach.
Josh: What would you say are some of your top qualities?
Cristina: Well, as I was saying in the last question, I never judge my clients and I am open to receiving what they need to say. I listen carefully and try my best to ask questions that will open up a new path of thought. And one thing I haven’t mentioned is that I try to lead by example. In my opinion, it’s quite important. For instance, if I saw a coach who smokes and I want to quit smoking, I might go… Hm… I won’t take you. I truly think a coach has to lead by example and be a person who inspires others: a healthy and functional person that you can see has worked on their persona. Yes, we have to inspire people to let them know that they can do whatever they want and that they can go for it.
Josh: How important is it for a potential client to be open-minded just as much as the coach is?
Cristina: Well, the more open-minded a client is, the more progress there can be. If you come into a coaching process and you’re very close-minded and have your own ideas that you are not willing to change, that’s kind of creating a wall that will be difficult to cross. Of course, if a person is wanting to start a coaching process, the best thing they can do for themselves if they’re going to pay for it is to be open-minded.
You see, what we know, we already know. If a client comes with knowledge, circumstances, and a closed mind, they won’t get out of there. Let other people throw you ideas and maybe get you out of the so-called box so that you can create change and progress. Everyone says this and I don’t even know if it was Einstein who said it or not, but the quote is quite true: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”
Josh: What has been your experience coaching people around the world from different cultures?
Cristina: It’s been amazing. I can work with people from Australia, the US, Saudi Arabia, England, France, and anywhere. It’s great because I can see how people in different cultures talk, behave and have different values. It’s also kind of funny because when I coach people from the US, now I already know that I can more or less expect similar behavior or thought patterns - of course, everyone is different, but you get what I am saying.
It also gives me a lot of joy because it creates room for improvement. It’s like fuel for me. Being involved with new people and new cultures means that I need and want to be as open-minded as possible on a daily basis.
Josh: Would you say that you see commonalities in differing cultures in what people reach for regarding their goals and objectives?
Cristina: Absolutely.
Josh: What would you say is the most common advice you provide to people in your practice?
Cristina: First of all, I would say self-confidence. Anywhere and everywhere in the world, it’s something that is lacking in a lot of people. Where is your strong center? The place from which you make conscious decisions and operate on a daily basis so that nothing can throw you off the path? It’s crucial to find it and nourish it in each and every individual. And it's universal, no matter what country you are in. I like building that center with my clients because I think from that center, they can do whatever they want.
Secondly, I also work on communication skills. People don’t know how to communicate with others.
Josh: Communication is so vital.
Cristina: Yeah. People come to me saying, “I have this problem,” and what they actually need to do is talk with somebody they feel uncomfortable talking to. It’s fascinating to work on that and see how honest, assertive communication can change so many things.
Josh: What are the advantages of working with a coach long-term? Meaning having someone to call on whenever it is needed?
Cristina: It depends on the person. My goal is that through working with me, at some point, my clients don’t need me anymore.
I want people to be able to function fully and live happily independently. Now, depending on the person, some people need a longer process with a coach, whereas other people just need a little push, maybe one, two, or three sessions with me. And then there's a third group of people who come and go as time goes by. They have worked on a thing with you for a month or two. They’re like, ok, that’s fixed. I’m going to fly now. They fly. And then, in some months or a year, they come back with another thing they want to explore. “Hey Cristina, there’s this now, and I don’t know how to tackle it. I need tools. Let’s work together again.”
That said, I guess the answer to your question is that the people who work with you long-term have the benefit of having someone there who will care about what they are doing and ask them, “hey, how are you doing?”. It’s like going to a gym class or to the open gym. You are likelier to go to a class than to an open gym because if you go to a class, it’s like, “It’s Tuesday, 7 pm, and my teacher is waiting for me, as well as my gym buddies.” On the other hand, if you have to go to the open gym at 7 pm on a Tuesday and you’re tired, most likely, you won’t.
What I mean is when you have your coach there, you’re more likely to stick to your goals, stick to your plan, and stick to a schedule. Accountability and a sense of companionship is the most important and valuable thing you will get from working with a coach long-term.
Josh: Okay. Well, Christina, you’ve answered all my questions. I want to say, first of all, thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this.
Cristina: Don’t worry, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you.
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Well, there you have it! Cristina's insight has shown us that coaching is not as cut and dry as it may seem. Working with the right coach, having an open mind consistently, and being willing to build self-confidence can really make all the difference when working with a coach and applying what you've learned in real-world situations! With this said, you can find Cristina on Gini today.
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Q&A conducted by Joshua Chestang, GINI Founder
The Gini Group, 2023
GINI | Help from Experts, Coaches, and Consultants
