Does Everyone Need a Coach? Let’s Be Honest About It.

That’s Tony Robbins in the picture above.

I’m sure you’ve heard of him. When I was in my 20s, I listened to all his CDs. Bought all his books. I’ll admit it. I loved his programs, his messages, and his energy. I get that he’s not for everyone. He’s over the top.

I’m not exactly sure why I felt I needed to spend $1,000 on his stuff. It’s all I had to spare at the time.

Thinking back, I was likely missing a real person to do what he did—inspire and motivate. I loved my father and mother, both now in heaven, and I deeply respect the sacrifices they made. They had come to the U.S. from Poland only a couple of years before I was born. My father was a car mechanic who barely spoke English. My mother was a stay-at-home mom raising five kids while taking on part-time house-cleaning jobs to help pay the bills. They were hardworking and loving, but they weren’t the kind of mentors who could guide me through personal growth or career aspirations. For many young people today, their parents serve as their biggest fans and life coaches—if that’s you, consider yourself lucky. I think Tony Robbins filled that gap for me.

Coaching is everywhere these days. Life coaches. Career coaches. Business coaches. Executive coaches. Spiritual coaches. There are too many to list.

It seems like everyone is either a life coach, fitness coach, career coach, or some kind of guru trying to sell you their secrets to success. It’s trendy. It’s booming.

We've seen the ads. "Leave your boring job. Be your own boss."

We've seen the formula. "Build your following. Create killer content. Close your clients."

Do we really need all these coaches?

Probably not.

Does everyone even need a coach?

Honestly, I think so. I think most of us do. If LeBron James, Oprah Winfrey, and Fortune 500 CEOs all have coaches, why don’t you?

When you find the right coach—someone with real experience, wisdom, and the ability to guide you, someone who's been where you want to go—it can be life-changing.

The Risk of Going It Alone

What happens when you don’t have a coach? You risk stagnation. Without outside guidance, it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone, repeat the same mistakes, and miss opportunities for growth. You might not even realize what you’re doing wrong because no one is there to challenge your thinking. The most successful people—athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs—seek mentorship because they know the value of learning from those who have been there before. A lack of coaching often leads to wasted time, unnecessary struggles, and slow progress. Why make life harder than it needs to be?

Why Go It Alone?

Life is hard. Business is hard. Navigating it solo isn’t a badge of honor—it’s just unnecessary. Even the most successful people have mentors and advisors. Having an outside perspective helps you break through plateaus and make smarter decisions.

I’ve been lucky to have great coaches in my life—CMOs I reported to, CEOs I report to, and my wife. And now, I love coaching others—my kids, my interns, my employees, and even my friends' kids. It’s rewarding, and I learn just as much as they do.

What Makes a Good Coach?

A real good coach is someone who’s been where you want to go. It's typically that simple. They have experience, not just a certificate from a weekend seminar. They've made mistakes and learned from them. They'll help you avoid the same mistakes.

They challenge you, hold you accountable, and help you push past your own limitations.

A Bad Coach?

They overpromise, underdeliver, and are often more focused on their bank account than your progress. Be skeptical of anyone who:

• Can’t point to real success in their own life or career.
• Tries to sell you into a program without truly understanding your needs.
• Relies on flashy sales tactics and pressure to get you to sign up.
• Seems more interested in “manifesting” success than actually working for it.

Not all coaching has to come from a paid professional. Some of the best guidance comes from the people already in your life—your boss, a mentor, a trusted friend, or even a family member. These are the people who know you, care about you, and can offer real advice without an agenda. Sometimes, the right mentor at the right time is just as valuable as any high-priced coach.

Bosses as Coaches

Great managers aren’t just leaders; they’re coaches. A good boss teaches, guides, and helps their team grow. Companies that invest in coaching cultures tend to have employees who are more engaged and successful. If your manager isn’t helping you grow, you might need to look elsewhere for mentorship.

Great managers aren’t just leaders; they’re coaches. A good boss teaches, guides, and helps their team grow. Companies that invest in coaching cultures tend to have employees who are more engaged and successful. If your manager isn’t helping you grow, you might need to look elsewhere for mentorship.

I remember my first executive job—VP of Professional Services at BroadVision. I got a call on a Sunday night, the day before I started. "Hi, it's Pehong. I'm coming to NY tomorrow. Meet me there. We're going to visit some customers." Pehong Chen was the CEO. We met at the airport and were off to three meetings—Citibank in the city, then AT&T in New Jersey, and finally QVC.

In the first five minutes, he said, "Bill, you're taking over all the projects in the East starting this week." I replied, "OK, but I'm scheduled to go to corporate next week for orientation, then product training." His blunt response: "Today's your training." Classic Pehong. But he wasn’t joking. He spent half the day training me on everything—messaging, positioning, how our technology worked, our methodology.

For the next four years, he was there to push me, ask for the impossible, and drive results. It was the hardest job I ever had, but probably the most fulfilling. He trusted me, built my confidence, and became my biggest fan. Exactly what I needed at 30 years old. I started with 2 consultants doing $50K per quarter. Within 18 months, I opened up 7 offices up and down the coast, hired almost 200 people and was driving $40 Million in annual business.

Co-Workers, Leaders, and Executives as Coaches

Some of the best coaching comes from peers and executives outside your immediate team. Your coworkers often have insights that can help you navigate challenges, while senior leaders in other departments can offer guidance from a different perspective. Many great leaders naturally become mentors, providing advice and strategic thinking beyond just their own job functions. If you’re not learning from the people around you, you’re missing an easy opportunity to grow.

Family as Coaches

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and even close friends often play coaching roles in our lives. They might not be the best career coaches given their different domain expertise, but they offer life perspective, hard truths, and sometimes the kind of advice no paid coach ever could or would give. The best part? They do it because they care, not because they’re chasing a paycheck or trying to drive revenue.

Paid Coaches: Are They Worth It?

Some are. Some aren’t.

I’m using one now, Harrison Schenck. He knows how to start a sole proprietor business and understands the coaching industry inside and out. He’s been excellent—saving me months of trial and error and thousands of dollars by helping me choose the right software and systems. He’s built an amazing community, something I am going to do and now have a great reference point.

More importantly, he leads by example. He's working his ass off to get his own business off the ground, and that kind of drive is contagious. A good coach doesn’t just tell you what to do—they embody the practices, discipline, mindset, and work ethic they preach.

A great coach has domain expertise you don’t. They are skilled, experienced, and genuinely invested in your growth. But beware.

Some charge outrageous fees without delivering real value. Others regurgitate generic advice you could get for free on YouTube.

Many just don’t have the life or work experience to be guiding others. Some don’t share your values or priorities, leading to advice that just doesn’t resonate. Others are too busy with their own business ventures to stay engaged and committed to your growth.

But there are also great coaches out there—people who truly care about your growth, have walked the path before you, and are invested in your success. The right coach won’t just give you advice; they’ll challenge your thinking, hold you accountable, and help you achieve what you never thought possible.

Conclusion: Get Coached.

A great coach can be a game-changer. The right one will push you, challenge you, and help you grow. You need someone who gives you an unbiased opinion, someone who can see your blind spots, and someone who will hold you accountable when you start making excuses.

We all have moments when we’re stuck—professionally, personally, or in our mindset. A coach isn’t just there to tell you what you want to hear. They’re there to give you what you need to hear.

Working with a coach doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re smart enough to get help.

Do you have a coach now? If not, get one.