22 year old business/mindset coach - AIBU

[2021namechanges]

Have been looking around for a business coach recently. In my investigations I’ve come across some guy who is 22 years old - and from what I can tell - the only business he’s ever “built is the fucking coaching business he’s trying to flog.

Now I may be getting old (am 38) but Aibu to say that quite frankly this is fucking ridiculous. Along the way I’ve found coaches that have also set up and when I take a look at their LinkedIn profiles - in the nicest way - their jobs before will be along the lines of “recruitment agent”, or “PA” - again nowt wrong with this - but being a business advisor - sorry no

I do get that you can retrain but Aibu to say this is absolute nonsense

I wouldn’t take career advice from a 23 yr old without significant career experience themselves. I wouldn’t take any advice from a 23 yr old in general. Most people aren’t qualified to lead themselves let alone anyone else.

The people you really need are probably running businesses of their own. Have you tried networking in professional entrepreneur groups in your business area? These are really helpful and often pair you up with someone who has experience of the particular point in your business path that you want some advice with. So if you are thinking about how to expand into us market for eg they pair you up for a chat with someone who has done just that. People are very generous. You're not going to get lots of 'sessions' It's usually free, and they are busy, but a couple of coffee chats are going to be worth 10000x 22 yo coaching sessions...Also going to their group networking events - you can pick up a lot just chatting and listening.

I think YABU actually OP and conflating advising with coaching. A good coach shouldn’t be giving any advice, they should be guiding you to draw on your own knowledge and experience (not theirs!) to make decisions. Good coaching requires an ability to listen well, to reflect back what someone is saying, to ask open questions, etc. There are plenty of younger people who have these skills, he may or may not be one of them, but you can’t tell from his age alone.

I’ve seen plenty of experienced leaders go into coaching after partial retirement but actually be a bit crap at it because they can’t resist advising and telling others what to do, rather than supporting their clients to figure out the answer for themselves.

The best coaches I know don’t have a business/leadership background themselves, their profession is coaching.

Also know someone else who is a life coach, has paid £10000s to ‘train’, of course has their own life coach. She is doing as she doesn't want to pay for childcare and wants to ear £50,000 a year She is now selling her house and moving somewhere cheaper and continuing to earn less that £1k and year and her own life is questionable

I think 22 is stretching credulity.

I do know a 25 year old who has built up a significant property development, renovations and investment business. He did it himself from scratch, working away since the age of 16, tapping into expertise of other people etc.

He now owns a couple of companies and is reasonably wealthy and has a lot of insights and really interesting info. What he’s achieved is amazing actually. I’m a lot older than him but learn loads listening to him. I’m tempted to give property a go myself!

This reminds me of my unease about management consultancy as a career option for people without other experience.

[quote imalmostthere]@2021namechanges
I see your point, but as far as a young surgeon goes, the doctor who very literally saved my child's life when she was born, was 23. I owe her everything. I think it very much depends on the individual. I also think berating someone trying to make a living in this climate, solely based on age, is harsh. I hope he proves everyone wrong 😊[/quote]
Yes, but your 23 year old doctor didn't get her knowledge and qualifications doing an online course and go straight into operating without ever having seen the inside of an operating theatre before, figuring that her positive mindset and talking a good talk will ensure the survival of your newborn.

Does anyone remember the godawful govt scheme in the 90's? I cant remember what it was called - Business Link maybe, but govt paid (or poss part paid) for "business coaches" for SMEs. We had a succession of boring twats about to retire with no ability to listen or "adapt" solutions to the business they were being paid to advise.
Agree a 22 year ond with no business experience is probably a waste of space, but age brings no guarantees.

Think that went on much longer than the 90s thinwomansbrain! ‘Business support’ services.