Should You Hire a Coach?

Here's what I know about hiring a coach. Only do so if you're ready to invest in your growth. Otherwise, it's a waste of time and money.

Coaching isn't for everyone. Some people are happy where they are and others have the focus needed to move forward without outside support. If that describes you, no need to read any further. If not, read on.

When people contact me regarding my services they usually have a lot of questions. I've picked a few of the more common questions that I receive, to help you decide if coaching is right for you.

I just received a promotion, which means I'm doing something right. How exactly would I benefit from engaging a coach, now that I've just nailed this promotion?

I can tell you from personal experience that getting promoted is only half the equation. Being successful in your new role is equally as important. Otherwise you may find yourself taken out by a wave you never saw coming. Or you may plateau and remain in the same position for years to come.

A good coach can work with you to identify exactly what skills to build upon, so you can easily assimilate into your new role. He or she can also be a sounding board for you, as you work through sticky organizational issues.

What should I look for when hiring a coach?

Look for someone whose been where you want to go. All the courses in the world on how to coach can't replace real world experience. Think about it. If you were to hire someone to help improve your skiing, would you hire the person who spent most of her time reading about skiing or someone who has actually skied black diamond trails a number of times?

There are a lot of great coaches out there who have real-life experience. Don't get dazzled by certifications. They're simply pieces of paper. Instead, look for people who have a track record of providing the results you seek.

What's the best way to find a coach?

The majority of my clients are referrals, which if you think about it, makes a lot of sense. People are delighted with the progress they've made as a result of our work together, and they'd like their friends and colleagues to achieve similar success.

If you're looking for a coach, ask someone whom you admire and trust for a recommendation. They'll gladly share any names they may have. Or reach out to someone whose work you've been following and see if coaching is an offering they provide.

I've written an entire chapter on the topic of coaching and mentoring, which is in the new edition of Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All Around. You may download this chapter, with my compliments!

? Matuson Consulting, 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Want to learn more about the benefits of executive coaching? Reach out to me at [email protected] with questions or if I can be of help.

I've partnered with LinkedIn Learning to develop courses to help leaders manage up, down and across the organization. Check them out!

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