Coaching Clearly Clarified for your Career
I recently met with the fabulous team at Peppershock Media. We had a fun conversation about what coaching is and what it is not. Today, we’ll clarify the concept of coaching.
Most successful athletes have coaches. In football, there are offensive line coaches, defensive line coaches, quarterback coaches, running back coaches, etc. The most well-rounded programs address mind, body and spirit. For example, the coaching teams often include dietitians, strength coaches, mindset or psychological coaches, yoginis and spiritual coaches (both traditional and non-traditional belief systems). The most recent example of this was Sister Jean with Loyola’s 2017 NCAA basketball championship tourney run. So, if the most successful teams and athletes have coaches, why don’t you?
Coaching connotations
Here are a few examples of where some negative coaching connotations have origins. In the past, when someone had a corporate-paid ‘coach’ it often meant there were developmental challenges. In another example, the executive needed to hear vital feedback. But, the company or manager was unwilling to deliver it. Or, the leader wasn’t willing to hear the feedback from ‘their own management team’. So, in all cases, a neutral third party was hired to deliver it. While not necessarily a bad thing, in each example, coaching was associated with a ‘problem’. “Oh, he has a coach (whispered)”. Consequently, some of this negative sentiment still lingers in the halls of corporate America today.
Coaches, counselors, therapists, oh my!
Compounding the confusion about coaching is the lack of clarity between coaching and other services. Like what is the difference between counseling, therapy, consultancy and mentorship. I recently learned a fun and simple way to explain the differences, so I’ll share it with you too. Let’s use the example of driving a car. The issue may be ‘I can’t drive a car’. A therapist explores why you are not driving. A counselor listens to what is causing the anxiety in not driving the car. A consultant advises you on how to drive a car. A mentor shares tips on their experience in driving a car and a coach encourages you and supports you in driving a car. The primary difference is the relationship with a coach is more action focused. Coaching is more forward looking (for the most part) and behaviorally calibrated. Importantly, all of these services are helpful and, at times necessary, to have as a part of your personal support team.
What a coach does and does not
First, a coach holds space for true transformation to happen. Secondly, they engage their clients in a provocative and inventive process. This process inspires and motivates them to maximize their professional and personal potential. Third, a coach truly respects the client as the expert in their field and life. They believe in the client and their vision. Finally, they set measurable outcomes and hold their clients accountable for ‘doing the work’. They do this , primarily, by focusing on the behavior, attitude and skills associated with their goal. Conversely, a coach isn’t a healer, enabler, dumping ground, or someone that has all the answers.
Have you had a coach? What was your experience? What was most effective for you? Least effective? I know some people who have had the same coach for many years! While I admire the commitment, my philosophy is different. Ideally, my clients learn, grow and fly the nest over time (2-3 years maximum). Additionally, getting different perspectives from different coaches over time is healthy. To illustrate this further, some leaders are great at building a business to a certain point. They may not be the right leaders to take the business to the next chapter. In my opinion, a coach is similar.
In summary, I hope you found the conversation about coaching helpful! Working with a coach is an empowering experience. Importantly, it is an investment in yourself and aren’t you worth it? Finally, don’t you want to be the best you of your field or your life?
Are you ready?: Press HERE for Success
As adults we spend the bulk of our waking hours ‘at work’. We only have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you can choose how to spend that time. I wish you much success on your career quest. Yours in balance, learning, growth and harmony. – Melissa DeLuca, CEO
