Discovering the Fundamentals of Assessing Business Coaches.

May I ask if you are familiar with the Latrodectus Mactans, commonly called the black widow spider? This particular species is recognised for its potent venomous bite, which can pose a significant threat to humans. Additionally, female black widows exhibit a distinctive behaviour of consuming their mate following copulation. While some individuals view this action as a display of appreciation, others speculate that it may serve as a source of sustenance for their offspring.

Why would the male Latrodectus Mactans willingly embrace their inevitable and dire fate despite the seeming lack of appeal?

The answer is that their role is unavoidable, and they are willing to sacrifice their lives for it.

It's all exciting, but where does the business coach fit in?

It has everything to do with it.

The black widow male devotes his whole self to a cause that, if the outcome is success (read mating), his raison d'être ends.

Is it not the same for the business coach (net of mating)?

Determining whether a leader has successfully fulfilled their obligations and duties to the satisfaction of their followers can take time and effort. One possible indicator of effective leadership is when the leader no longer requires the guidance and assistance of a coach. However, this presents a paradoxical situation. On the one hand, the more skilled and effective the coach is, the greater the likelihood they will eventually make themselves redundant by helping the leader become self-sufficient. On the other hand, if the coach needs to be more skilled to help the leader become self-sufficient, the leader may continue to rely on them indefinitely, limiting their potential growth and development. Ultimately, a leader's effectiveness is best measured by the results they achieve and their impact on their followers rather than their reliance on external sources of support.

As an Executive Coach, I advise leaders and sponsors, especially in the HR department, to exercise caution when considering coaching projects. To prevent being caught in a parasitic situation, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the project's objectives, timeline, and measurable outcomes. Failure to do so could result in becoming a victim of a black widow scenario, which can be detrimental to the success of the project and the organisation. Therefore, taking a detailed approach when assessing coaching projects is essential to ensure they align with the company's goals and objectives and avoid potential adverse outcomes.

In short, you must learn to weave your web and only capture prey that willingly delivers themselves.