Top 5 Coaching Myths that are Holding You Back

Sara Mangan Ramelb
May 29
2 min read

Let’s clear the air: coaching isn’t therapy, mentoring, or someone reading motivational posters at you from across a Zoom screen.

And yet, in the world of change, performance, and leadership, coaching remains wildly misunderstood.

If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I should work with a coach, but…”—you’re not alone. Chances are, what’s holding you back isn’t lack of interest. It’s a story you’ve heard (or told yourself) about what coaching really is.

Let’s challenge five of the biggest myths keeping people stuck—and reveal what coaching can actually offer when done at the highest level.

Myth 1: Coaching is for people who are struggling.

Truth: Coaches meet everyone where they are – including working with high-performing people who want to elevate, refine, or reimagine what’s next.Coaching isn’t remediation—it’s amplification. My clients aren’t lost or broken; they’re ready to scale their impact, redefine success, or shift into the next chapter with clarity and intention. Coaching gives them a space to think bigger—and a mirror to see what’s possible beyond habit or fear.

Myth 2: A good coach gives you the answers.

Truth: A transformational coach helps you ask better questions—and trust your own answers.I don’t hand out instructions. I create environments where insight, ownership, and accountability emerge. Coaching isn't about dependency. It's about recalibrating your internal compass.

Myth 3: Coaching is all talk, no action.

Truth: Great coaching is conversation and implementation.My clients don’t just leave sessions inspired—they leave with frameworks, practices, and commitments they design and own. Real change isn’t theory. It’s action in motion, informed by both who you are and where you’re going, and designed to last.

Myth 4: Coaching is a luxury, not a necessity.

Truth: Coaching is an investment in your most valuable asset: your future.The cost of staying stuck—personally, professionally, emotionally—is far greater than the cost of expert partnership. My clients are often at career or life crossroads. The support and structure of coaching doesn’t just move them forward—it helps them leap in the right direction.

Myth 5: Coaching takes forever.

Truth: Change doesn’t require a lifetime. It requires intention, structure, and commitment.I have designed a 12-week group coaching experience that create powerful clarity and momentum. You don’t need years. You need a defined first target, the right guide, and the courage to begin.