The Reasons and Motivations to use a Coach

As an executive coach, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is - What is a coach and what do you do?  Some people are best able to relate to the sports analogy of coaching.  Think about an athlete and why she or he would want to hire a coach.  The reasons and motivations vary - some people believe and/or feel that they have basic talents and would like to develop them to the next level.  Others think or feel that they need an objective party to observe how they are performing and could benefit from suggestions of what to keep or stop doing or practicing other ways to improve.  Let me offer an analogy to frame coaching in a different light.

I remember my Little League baseball coach when I was a kid.  In that scenario, the coach had to watch us play to determine our best fit on the team and where to place us.  My Dad became my personal coach while the Little League guy was the team coach.  My Dad had a vested interest in helping me play better and was all about developing not only my playing ability but my self-confidence as well.  The vested interest was all about his genuine care and concern about my well-being.  I believe additionally that my Dad found pride and purpose for his life in providing direction and guidance for mine.  However, this is only half the story.  The other half and most definitely, the more important one is that as the one being coached I had to have a vision about what I would like to improve.  Without that vision, anyone would be hard pressed to have a coach.  As a kid I wanted to improve my fielding and batting skills.

So let's take a look at that sports analogy and break it down to a business coaching scenario.  Your team coach is your manager.  She or he is responsible for getting the work done assigned to her/his department and needs to make sure everyone is performing to their best ability toward common goals.  This is the equivalent of getting the team to play together to win the game.  The manager or you may decide that you want to improve certain business skills in order to perform better in your current position or you may decide that you want to be considered for more advanced responsibilities or opportunities and want an additional resource to help.  This is one scenario in which a coach would be beneficial.  

I would like you to think of another way to consider using a coach.  What if you don't have a vision and you feel like you are either stuck or just floundering around?  You don't seem to have much traction or motivation - yet deep down inside you know you have something of real value to share with the world to make it a better place and for you to feel a real sense of purpose.  Ask yourself some questions like: Describe your best self; What does success look like to me; describe your perfect workday; At the end of my life what would I want people to say about me?  As you answer these questions look for the values that you live by.  This is the first step in determining your vision - who is it that you want to be?  This is where a coach can be invaluable in supporting to reach your vision.  Don't you think it is time for you to consider living your vision and being the person you want to be by investing in your own coach to support and guide you through life's wonderful journey?

Visit my website at CrosstheFinishLineCoaching.com to read testimonials from clients.  I CAN help you reach your desired results.