Readers of this blog probably fall into one of the following categories:

–       you are actively looking for a new position

–       you are considering the next stage of your career

–       you are looking to hire someone for your organization

–       you lead an organization and wonder how it can be even better

Into whichever one you fall, you could probably benefit from working with a coach.  Here are the top seven reasons why:

You will clarify what is most important to you.

Sometimes we feel muddled, scattered or confused about what we really want.  The torrent of information and demands that flood our overtaxed brains makes it difficult to focus on anything but the most urgent tasks at hand.  We can get overwhelmed by minutiae or paralyzed before making a decision, and we may find it difficult to discern what we want to do versus what we have to do.  People can experience a sense of alienation, disconnection, demotivation and discouragement when they lack a clear sense of who they are, what they believe in and what really matters to them. These are usually the core subjects of coaching conversations.

You will identify different ways to achieve what you want to achieve.

It is not always a linear process to clarify your own personal vision, mission and goals, but through a coach’s different approaches and methods, you will become more certain of these guiding stars.  You will then be encouraged to explore different avenues to accomplish your goals.  You may alight on a single, blindingly obvious path, or you may find yourself experimenting with different options in a more empirical way.  Either way, your coach will be there, asking you questions and helping you find for yourself the best, most effective way forward.

You will have a better perspective to understand what you have already achieved and where you currently stand.

Many people have a tendency to be quite judgmental especially about themselves.  Your coach will teach you to befriend your harsh inner critic and allow you to look at yourself with compassion and understanding.  Helping you to view your strengths, accomplishments and current situation more objectively, your coach will offer you a perspective, perhaps rounded out with feedback from others, that complements your own story and highlights your potential and greatest talents.  By taking an appreciative stance and building on your greatest assets rather than seeing yourself or your situation as a problem to be resolved, you set yourself up for success and are resilient when encountering temporary setbacks.

You will see what could be getting in your way.

A coach holds a mirror up to you and does not seek to hide the truth even though his or her orientation is usually toward the positive.  You may become aware of blind spots or derailers in your own behavior or thinking patterns about which did not know.  Facing these in a spirit of openness and learning can lead to critical breakthroughs.  As we know, if you keep doing what you’ve done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve got. So, becoming aware of traps and obstacles is a critical step in getting unstuck and moving forward.

You will strategize about how to overcome what’s getting in your way.

Sometimes, just seeing what was impeding progress is enough to produce change, but it is helpful to work with your coach to strategize about different approaches or actions to achieve different results.  Some coaches are generalists and others are specialists in specific areas, but either can be extremely effective in helping people build new “muscles” or develop new skills to help accomplish new goals and climb new peaks.

You will have support as you put in place your new skills, practices and rituals that build your capacity for change.

Your coach is an ideal partner to help you deepen your capacity for self-observation, experimentation and course correction as you try out and practice new ways of doing and being.  Hardly anything changes instantaneously, so be ready for a process to unfold over time.  Expect setbacks, distractions and disappointments; they are inevitable as you seek to embed and embody new habits.  This is why it is so important to have someone like a coach hold you accountable and to be there for you to report on your progress.

You will have a cheerleader to help you recover from setbacks and to celebrate your successes along the way.

Finally, you will have someone in your corner with your best interests at heart ready to offer a sympathetic ear or gentle guidance when you find yourself going off the rails. A coach will cheer you on when you feel despondent and will acknowledge and celebrate you when you start seeing the fruits of your efforts.

 

Fredia Woolf, founder of Woolf Consulting, blogs to help people improve their workplace effectiveness and optimize their careers.  As an organizational consultant and leadership coach, she works with clients to increase insight, inspiration and impact. She can be reached at fwoolf@woolfconsulting.com.

Last updated on November 10th, 2010 at 03:17 pm