Coaching is an investment – fact. No matter what business you are in, the benefits of having an executive coach should significantly outweigh the financial investment, and improve you as a whole.
The challenges lie in the when, where, why, how, and who for this investment; not every coach is as ‘qualified’ as they claim, and not every coach is right for you.
The How and Why. If you think you are ready to be coached, have you considered what it is that you are hoping to achieve and the benefits you are looking for? When you talk through your thoughts, ideas, challenges, a good coach should be able to articulate the likely process or journey that you will go through to achieve your objectives. And there should be a good indication of how and why the process will improve your awareness, your behaviours, and your skills as a result.
The Who. When talking to a prospective coach, make sure you consider how they talk about other clients. This covers two essential questions – are they talking about things that resonate with you, and, are they being confidential. Both things are important and both require a positive response for you to feel confident in who you will ultimately build a relationship with.
The When and Where. Consider if the way the coach works will work for you. There will be meetings, conversations, timelines, deadlines and interaction with those around you. The methodology and flexibility of when and where will need to fit in with your diary to maintain the relationship so get this sorted early on to prevent disappointment later.
A good coaching relationship will be intimate, trusting and essential to your success. If you would like to explore this subject a bit more please do get in contact with us.