If you are reading this article it means that you are seriously considering hiring a business coach – and we applaud you for that! It isn’t easy running a business and getting someone to help you to overcome obstacles is a very good decision. There are many benefits to hiring a business coach, and you are doing a great thing for your business and for yourself. However, simply deciding that you are going to hire someone isn’t enough. You still have a daunting task of choosing the right person for the job.
How important is the role of a coach?
Going through external coaching with Robin Waite is a very complex process that will dive deep into the particulars of your business as well as your personality. You will be forced to face some deep, harsh truths and you will learn how to come out the other side that much stronger and better. Although coach isn’t as personal as a mentor, their role still carries a lot of weight.
Another thing that you should have in mind is the coaching methodology. It might turn out that you have a great relationship with your business coach, but you don’t really feel comfortable with the methodology they are using. This is why it is advisable that you do some research and figure out what type of coaching suits you best.
What should I look for in a business coach?
Coaches tend to stay more on the business side of things, they focus on a particular issue and their stay in your life is short-term. Nevertheless, it would benefit you that you hire someone who is compatible with you. In order to really open up you need to feel comfortable, to trust and respect your coach. Without that, the entire process is doomed to fail.
This is why you should look for a coach that you feel relaxed with, that has a methodology that you are excited to work with and that will enable you to grow.
Can I choose the wrong person and hurt my business?
Although it is possible that your first choice might not be the best, chances are that you won’t do serious damage to your business. You can, however, slow down your growth and delay the results you are hoping for. This is why it is best to state your objectives clearly and in a timely manner. Perhaps your coach can improve based on your feedback, and your relationship can grow. Just like with coaches in basketball or any other sport, it is paramount that you express your concerns and objections, and perhaps there will be room for improvement and an even better cooperation.
Is it important that I get along with my coach on a personal level?
Unlike a mentor, a coach doesn’t necessarily have to create a more intimate relationship with the person they are working with. However, since that person is going to be involved in your professional and private life, building a certain rapport is inevitable. So, where is the line?
A coach needs to be someone you respect, trust and genuinely enjoy working with. You don’t necessarily need to agree with their music taste or political opinions, but there has to be some foundation for building a mutually beneficial relationship. Focus on your similarities and on things you appreciate about them and work from there.
How will I know I have chosen the right person?
There is no strict formula or an answer key when it comes to your relationship with your coach. The only thing you should keep in mind is the difference since you started your coaching sessions. Focus on your growth, the changes you implemented, the improvements in your business. If your revenue is up, you have chosen the right person. If you manage your time better, if you have a better overview of business, if your feedback has improved. Although the fact that your relationship has improved is amicable, the real proof you have chosen the right coach is in the end result.
And if, by any chance, you aren’t happy with the progress, make sure that you are not sabotaging yourself. Perhaps your coach is providing you with all the right tools and techniques and you are simply not using them. It isn’t easy going through such a change, facing your fears and knowing your business depends on you, and your growth. This is precisely why you should lean on your coach and let them guide you to the other side.
