Do you really need an executive coach? Can he or she really make a difference for you and be worth the cost?
As complexities in jobs grow, so does the need for a job coach, a career coach or an executive coach. The executive coaching field has grown nearly a 50 % in the past five years.
Clearly more people are finding coaching beneficial in their lives. But not everyone.
Some people don’t need or are not ready for coaching. Check the list to see why YOU might not need an executive coach at this time.
Need Executive Job Coaching? Review This List
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You don’t have an “executive coach” appropriate issue.
Coaches most often help people with common job related issues such as difficulty working with peers, subordinates, or superiors. If you’re “stuck” and need to learn how to get to the next level they can help.
Coaches can help with a specific challenge or a skill you haven’t mastered.
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You have the wrong coach.
Because we all come with different personalities, you need a coach that is compatible with you. It should feel comfortable.
You need to trust that your coach has the knowledge and skills to assist in your issue. He or she needs to understand your business, your problems, and your emotional triggers.
The options, suggestions, and ideas offered must feel actionable and interesting to you. You need to see results.
If you feel pressured, bored, or in any way not respected as you work through your coaching, you may be working with the wrong coach.
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You don’t have clearly defined ground rules.
When you go into coaching, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. At least you need to be able to explain your problem
For example, you may want to find your leadership voice and style. You may need to learn how to communicate more effectively with your boss. Or how to motivate your team.
Early on, you should agree on the length of time, the cost, the method of meeting. Typically a contract will spell out the terms and explain the confidentiality of your relationship.
Coaching may go 6 months or a year. And you may check back in with different concerns later down the road.
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You are unwilling to do the work.
Some people come to executive job coaching looking for a quick fix.
For others to change. For situations to change. You need to change. It takes work. It’s hard and often uncomfortable.
If you’re not willing to put in the work to strengthen yourself, coaching is unlikely to succeed. You’ll just go back to old habits.
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You’re totally comfortable with your job, your skills, and your life balance.
It may almost be fashionable to have a coach, but at times, you’re doing great. Things are going well in your job, your family, your life balance. You are comfortable and confident.
Enjoy. And skip the coaching.
But know that when things aren’t going well. When you want to move ahead but just can’t figure out the next step. When your skills need more development. Executive job coaching can be the perfect choice for your progress.