How To Be Coached
Jason M. Blumer, CPA
CPA leading a firm for creative consultancies, firms, agencies, service providers, and an expert at team scaling, team structuring, and restructuring.
I often extol the value of hiring a business coach and how much this investment can change business owners into mature business owners. But I haven't read many articles about how to leverage a coach that you have hired. That is a skill too, and one I have had to learn over the past few years.
Forced Refocus
Often, when my own coaching sessions come up I briefly think "I just don't have time." But therein lies the value of my coach - a forced refocus on the strategic and important. If left to myself I will stay mired in the details of running my businesses and fail to lift my head to see what is important. No entrepreneur should be doing this, and hiring a coach will force you to step back and refocus on what is big and important.
Lead Me!
The deeper my clients will go with me, the faster we can create change in their lives and businesses. There is no place for a guarded relationship if you hire a coach. Tell them, "lead me." Skilled coaches are not there to judge you, so the faster you let them lead you through effective change, the quicker you get what you want.
Keep Talking
I've begun relationships with coachees that were skeptical of a coach. It seemed as if they would talk as little as possible just to see how good I was. Obviously, those relationships end pretty quickly. Your coach needs to hear your view of the world, your beliefs about your situations, and the struggles you are facing. Your words are the vehicles the coach will use to effectively ask questions and guide you through change. Skilled coaches are adept at hearing things most people can't hear. A good coach will latch onto misplaced words and use them to continue guiding the coachee. Talk a lot so your coach can help you the most.
Remain Stupid and Unguarded
There is no room for being guarded when you are working with your coach. A coaching relationship is confidential and private, so no one is listening to you discuss your problems. Say (perceived) dumb things and whatever enters your mind. Stumble over your words, contradict yourself, say "I don't know," cry, sigh, and guffaw. Nothing trips up a good coach - in fact, when you are remaining real, the coach will use these moments as leverage to help you the most.
Show Thyself
I think body language is important in coaching sessions, and I like to see my coaching clients over video (I only coach remotely). This is just my preference, but I want to see how they look when I ask questions, I want to notice where they look, whether they look at their partners, or whether they are struggling to answer a question I've asked. Tell your coach that you want them to see you so they can read not only your words, but your body language as well.
Get Private
Find a private place. Don't work with your coach in the office or in a coffee shop unless you can be extremely private. In my opinion, you don't want others seeing you in a coaching session. You want to avoid places that might cause you to feel guarded when speaking with your coach. You may only have your coach for an hour or so - use their time wisely to get as much transformation out of them as possible.
If you have a coach, let me know if there are other ideas you think are helpful when being coached.
Managing Director
9 å¹´Perhaps in the world of bookkeeping and payroll you may find some traction.....it doesn't work with sophisticated entities where professionals fill the roles where their expertise and experience are relevant. Its laughable that someone that doesn't have either is going to give advice. The clients we start with are experienced professionals that don't need to be taught how run their businesses. The reality is that we deal with very different types of clients, and in your space they may very well may have need for what you are selling. That don't realize the limitations of your approach is telling.
Cloud Accounting Beancounter & Data Storyteller for Small Businesses
9 å¹´Good article, Jason. Here's my takeaway from it, "Your coach needs to hear your view of the world, your beliefs about your situations, and the struggles you are facing. Your words are the vehicles the coach will use to effectively ask questions and guide you through change." I believe a good coach helps you refocus so that you can effectively work with ON your Business, not IN it.
CPA leading a firm for creative consultancies, firms, agencies, service providers, and an expert at team scaling, team structuring, and restructuring.
9 å¹´Kade Wilcox we just don't read his comments anymore (even though they are pretty funny). ??
Teacher, Child Development Center at Furman University
9 å¹´He always posts those kinds of things Kade. He doesn't get it at all.
Turn More Leads Into Patients, 24/7.
9 å¹´Jordan - you can be the most experienced, brilliant leader in the world and still need a coach. Good leaders recognize that regardless of how good they are they can always be better. I think your comments miss the make entirely. Particularly the way you started your comment.