If you’re like many people, you may not understand the value of hiring a professional coach. You may have some ideas in your head of what a “life coach” or “executive coach” does, but it’s possible that you’ve never considered the role much nor entertained the idea of hiring a coach.
So, what is the value of a coach?
While I am a certified coach with The John Maxwell Team, I’ve been working with my own coach recently. Here are my key thoughts on the value that I’ve found from being a client in the coaching process:
- A coach is a sounding board to help the client process challenges and opportunities that they are experiencing in their personal and/or professional life.
- The client is in control of the agenda – they discuss what they desire to discuss. The coach does not dictate the topic.
- The coach asks thought-provoking and curiosity-based questions to draw out insightful answers from within the client. (You’ll be amazed at the answers a coach can help you discover from within!)
- The coach is not a friend who will let the client off the hook easily. Rather, they help him/her develop an action plan and then hold them accountable to take growth steps. (If you’re like me, you do not want to meet with your coach at the next session and tell him/her that you did not do what you said you would!)
- A coach is a safe relationship. What is discussed in the coaching session is confidential. It is safe to express doubts, fears, and other emotions that the client is feeling in the process.
These are just a few of the benefits of a coaching relationship. In my biased opinion, we all need a coach in our lives! Think about it…how many people in your life are asking you thought-provoking questions and helping you formulate an action plan so you will grow, then are willing to do the difficult work of holding you accountable? How many people truly have YOUR success and growth as their main goal? A coach does!
What a coach is NOT:
- A coach is not a mentor (although they can mentor you outside the coaching session if you so desire)
- A coach is not a biased friend
- A coach is not a trainer or teacher (although they can function as such outside the coaching session if you so desire)
- A coach is not tied to their success, but they are committed to YOURS!
Are you struggling with challenges at home or work?
Do you have an opportunity in front of you that you need help to figure out whether to pursue it or not?
Do you feel alone in your role and need a sounding board that is focused on YOUR success?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, then hiring a qualified coach would be of tremendous benefit to you. If I can be of service, please contact me and we can discuss what this arrangement would look like. If nothing else, keep these ideas in your mind because someday you might find yourself ready to hire a coach to walk with you to help you go farther faster in your personal and professional life.
Be Intentionally Great Today!
