If you are just starting your business or are a seasoned business professional, there is a need for having that someone who you can turn to when you need to get new insight and find a way through something that is holding you and or your business from reaching new heights. Here are 3 reasons why you should consider using an executive coach:
1. To unleash the brilliance within
There’s a common saying that two heads are better than one. In other words, the combined wisdom and insight of more than one mind is greater than the single power of one. This is where the power of brainstorming helps to unleash your mind and generate new ideas and potential.
However, anybody can read on line how to do this, or download free software. The magic occurs though when you bring in the personal insight, the recognition that there are many options to explore and with this combined new knowledge, you end up with new ideas and a breakthrough.
2. Idea development
Having a coach – a good coach that is – is like having a dedicated personal sounding board whose sole focus is on helping you become better than you currently are. Very few other situations do you find someone who has this level of focus. The coach will aim to listen to a level where they are only focused on what you are saying (the coach is not thinking about what to say next) and by doing so, the coach can ask powerful questions that shine a light into some of the hidden challenges you are facing.
Judgement is suspended, opinion is relegated – the coach reflects back what he/she is hearing and observing and explores what you can do about it. His/her aim is to get you to a point where you can start to see the solution through challenge, questioning, support and action.
3. Built in accountability
Part of the value of having a coach is also that it brings with it a built in accountability partner model. It is easy to say you will do something, and the coaches job in part is to make sure that you have the right amount of challenge for thought (e.g. what do I need to do?) and action (e.g. what will I do?), and that you have considered what support you will need to take action. At the next session, the coach will want to know what you actually did, what you tried, what worked, what didn’t and what next…at a minimum.
If you think about the most successful people in sports and business, they all have something in common. They use, or have used, a coach at some point in their careers. They do this to improve their game, get feedback and be challenged to sustain high performance. Why don’t you?
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David Ramsey is an executive coach. If you liked this post, please follow me on Linked In. Also check out www.ramseyhouse.ca for other posts. david@ramseyhouse.ca
This blog was first published here.
