You're a leadership development coaching professional. How can you benefit from temporary work?

Temporary work is not just a job – it's a masterclass in adaptability and resilience. As someone who's thrived as a 'gun for hire,' I've found these roles to be a proving ground for developing a sharp, innovative edge. They demand that you quickly integrate into new teams, master unfamiliar dynamics, and foster resourcefulness. This kind of work shapes you into an agile problem-solver and a versatile team player, capable of achieving flow in constantly changing environments. The real art, however, lies in the balance – pairing intense sprints with strategic periods of rest, ensuring you’re always ready for the next exciting challenge.

I love temporary work and contract work, especially for coaching clients. The variety and ability to work week to week with people towards a specific goal is incredibly freeing. This type of approach can also give a Leadership Coach a bit of a competitive advantage from others in the industry who require 3 and 6 month commitments (with a certain number of sessions each week). Sometimes, it's one specific goal or challenge someone is trying to overcome, and working with a coach just a few weeks can get them past their challenge! These types of clients also come back again and again as they seek additional growth in their career. Temporary/contract work does not have be a bad thing, and can really add to your portfolio.

As a leadership development coaching professional, temporary work can offer several benefits. It allows for exposure to diverse industries, cultures, and leadership styles, enriching your experience and broadening your perspective. Temporary assignments also provide opportunities to network with professionals from various backgrounds, potentially leading to long-term collaborations or referrals. Additionally, they offer flexibility in scheduling, allowing you to balance work with personal commitments or pursue other interests. Moreover, temporary roles can enhance your adaptability and resilience, valuable qualities in leadership development. Embracing temporary work can fuel continuous learning and growth in your career journey.

If you are a self employed coach then by definition all engagements are temporary work! Who came up with this question?, oh, wait! It's a hallucinator again isn't it.

From my 15 years of experience in the coaching industry & field: Temporary work helped me create a portfolio of successful projects / courses and testimonials, which attracted more clientele (via word of mouth & business / social media), and increased my professional exposure and recognition.

One of the first Principles of coaching is "The coach has to be coachable" and based on my experience, multiple short engagements in the form of temporary assignments provide plenty of opportunities for a coach to learn and fine-tune their way of coaching. There are instances where the coach can apply an approach, tools and techniques from one engagement to another depending on the situation. This not only helps enrich the coach's experience but also builds a growth path from knowledge and networking perspective.

Diversifying your experience and contexts will provide you with great new skills (adaptation, change management, in addition to the mission objectives) and perspectives. It will also increase your network.

New environment, new challenge. As coach, I would recommend to follow a champion mindset and put you in an unconfortable and new situation as it will lead you to adaptability, agility and flexibility that is a top 10 skill to have in 2025 according to WEF.

Temporary work often involves projects or assignments at the forefront of innovation and industry trends. Working with different clients and organizations allows you to witness and participate in innovative practices, technologies, and strategies. This exposure cultivates a mindset of curiosity and adaptability, encouraging you to stay abreast of emerging trends and incorporate innovative approaches into your coaching practice. Temporary work exposes you to a diverse range of industries, challenges, and experiences that stimulate curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

As a leadership development coaching professional, temporary work offers me the opportunity to gain diverse experiences across different industries and company cultures. This broad exposure not only enhances my adaptability but also enriches my coaching toolkit with varied perspectives and strategies. It allows me to continuously learn and grow, which I can then pass on to my clients for their benefit. Furthermore, it expands my network, potentially leading to more permanent opportunities in the future.

I've heard from some fellow coaches that they didn't accept some opportunities because it did not fulfill their standard in terms of length. From my experience, the more jobs you take, the more referrals you receive and the bigger your network and reputation grows.

Temporary work may involve participation in industry events, conferences, and professional gatherings where you can network with peers, thought leaders, and potential clients. Attend workshops, seminars, and networking events related to leadership development, coaching, and your target industry to connect with like-minded professionals and expand your professional circle. Temporary work often involves collaborating with other professionals, consultants, or service providers who complement your expertise or offer complementary services. Build relationships with industry partners who can refer clients to you or collaborate on joint projects.

It’s certainly experience, but my personal work practice is that if the chemistry is way off, pre-proposal, I need to have the courage and courtesy to turn it down, in respect for both the client and my own values and boundaries.

Muitas oportunidades surgem quando se tem uma multicarreira. E o trabalho temporário, pode ser uma forma de alavancar habilidades já existentes, e se habilitar em novas competências, pelo lado do líder, o trabalho temporário sem dúvida alguma é importante no sentido de trazer novas formas de se pensar o que já se faz.

Engaging in temporary work as a leadership development coach isn't just about broadening your network and reputation – it's an exercise in the coaching ethos itself. It provides a unique platform to practice collaborative ideation and nurture relationships built on shared visions and reciprocal growth. Rather than approaching opportunities with what can be gained, the focus shifts to contributing value, sharing knowledge freely, and actively listening to understand the needs and contributions of others. It's within these genuine exchanges that the true potential for unexpected connections and opportunities is realised, embodying the transformative spirit of coaching.

Temporary work offers the flexibility to adjust your workload according to your financial needs and personal circumstances. During periods of high demand or financial strain, you can take on additional temporary assignments to supplement your income. Conversely, during quieter periods or when you need to prioritize other commitments, you can scale back your workload or take a break from temporary work altogether. Temporary work often provides access to training and development opportunities offered by employers or staffing agencies. Take advantage of training programs, workshops, or certifications provided by temporary employers to enhance your skills and marketability.

Muitos comentários que escutamos, por vezes, s?o duvidosos, quando o assunto é: trabalho bom é o por tempo indeterminado ou o famoso CLT. No entanto, ao meu ver, trabalho bom é aquele que você “planta” entregando projetos diversos em lugares / empresas diversas que geram valor, reconhecimento e várias possibilidades. A oportunidade de ter várias vertentes para atuar, lhe dará sim, várias possibilidades de manter a sua estabilidade profissional e financeira.

Sem dúvida, o trabalho temporário tem forte impacto na inova??o. Pois o fato de estar sempre em lugares diferentes, projetos diversos, desafios e pesquisas constantes, levam o profissional a buscar mais conhecimentos e exige também, atitudes rápidas e inovadoras.

Temporary work can also enable you to innovate and impact the leadership development field. You can experiment with new ideas, approaches, and models, and test them in different settings. You can also contribute to the development of new standards, frameworks, and best practices, and share them with your peers and clients. Temporary work can also help you make a difference in the lives and careers of your clients, and help them achieve their goals and potential.

Exposure to different industries and organizational cultures enhances your adaptability and broadens your coaching perspectives. Temporary assignments provide valuable connections, expanding your professional network. Each new role presents unique challenges that hone your coaching techniques and problem-solving skills. Gaining firsthand knowledge of current leadership challenges across sectors can inform your coaching practices and strategies.

Realizar trabalhos temporários gera oportunidade de conhecer várias realidades de líderes de todas as áreas e níveis de maturidade, contribuindo ainda mais para uma vis?o profunda e consolidada do tema lideran?a, contribuindo para aprimoramento do trabalho principal do coach

Am I in a position to help someone in need of help? To me, this is far more important than is this a short term or long term gig.

Hay que tener en cuenta que el proceso es mas importante que el resultado, el gran reto que tenemos es vivir el presente, disfrutar el proceso y no dejarnos llevar por la ansiedad ni por el miedo, cuando encuentras tu propósito lo aprendes a vivir todos los días, la meta no es llegar, la meta es estar en plenitud en el presente viviendo en tu mejor versión desde el amor, de esta forma toda la abundancia que mereces llegara.

All of the above seem possibilities to achieve in a temporary work; I would add that it is important not to forget your intention, therefore use it to get closer to your goal.