Most coaches stand at the top of the mountain and yell down to their clients to "reach their full potential." But if your client is struggling to pay their bills, they can’t hear you. In this episode, Adam Roach and Jess Webber introduce a 7-part series on Maslow’s Mountain, a framework that will change how you view your positioning, messaging, and client relationships.

The 5 Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Level 1: Physiological Needs – The base camp of survival including food, water, and basic shelter.
Level 2: Safety Needs – Moving from simple survival to physical and emotional protection and the development of trust.
Level 3: Love and Belonging – Shifting from self-protection to community, acceptance, and professional intimacy.
Level 4: Esteem Needs – Developing respect, recognition, and confidence within the relationship and the community.
Level 5: Self-Actualization – The summit where an individual reaches their full potential.

The "Coach's Trap"

The biggest mistake coaches make is standing at Level 5 (Self-Actualization) and trying to throw a rope down to someone at Base Camp. If your marketing speaks to "living your best life" while your avatar is worried about "keeping the lights on," you will lose their trust and their business.

From Hero to Sherpa

To truly succeed, you must stop trying to be the "Hero" who flew to the top and start being the Sherpa guide who walks arm-in-arm with the client from wherever they are.

"It is truly the lens or the filter through which you should run everything in your business." — Jess Webber

Resources Mentioned:

Get Paid to Coach Guide: Ready to stop shouting from the peak and start guiding? Grab our free guide to help you transition from Hero to Sherpa.
Website: ILoveCoachingCo.com