There is a lot of evidence that hiring a coach is a good idea for an executive, entrepreneur, or sales leader. According to a 2016 research, “participants in the individual coaching and group training conditions reported much less procrastination than those in the control group.” I am an executive coach and entrepreneur mentor, and I invest in a coach who helps me create objectives, fight challenges, and push myself through my own vices and bad habits.
Read More: Holistic Business Coach
Even yet, I’ve heard innumerable examples of people who want to hire a coach but aren’t sure what a coach can do for them, their sales performance, or even their business. To have a better understanding of the profession, I performed my own basic study into what consumers received when they engaged a coach.
I spoke with 100 business and life coaches in the last 60 days (as of this writing) to better understand what they do and how they help customers. Here’s a rundown of some of the responses I received from the 100 business and life coaches I contacted:
- 35% of business coaches were of the “mindset and accountability” variety.
- 40% stated that they solely work with entrepreneurs and startups.
- 13% worked on team projects and engagement.
- 90% were experts in some aspects of leadership development.
- 18% of businesses offered holistic, natural, or contemplative counseling to company owners.
Now, I fully acknowledge that this data is not statistically valid, nor is the research method perfect, but the goal was to determine what entrepreneurs and executives pay for when they hire a coach.
This research activity taught me three things about the benefits of coaching and how to choose the best coach for your requirements.
Takeaway No. 1: Business Coaches should share success stories. I inquired about their clients and success stories. All of the coaches I met with had testimonials and a track record of accomplishment. A coach should have a long list of individuals and businesses they’ve assisted, and you should seek coaches that have specialized experience related to their entrepreneurship or business specialization. Focus on coaches with experience in your profession or sector if you’re searching for a coach to help you advance your sales career or other skills. Look for a strategist rather than a listener.
Takeaway No. 2: Business Coaching success all starts with your perspective. Despite similarities in practitioners’ service delivery methodologies, I was astonished by the wide range of coaching specialties.
For example, despite the fact that nearly every coach I spoke with had a different title (neuro-specific coach, mindset coach, confidence coach, executive leadership coach, and executive transition coach, to name a few), every coach’s first comment was about focusing on the client’s mindset and helping them overcome “limiting beliefs.” So, if you’re seeking a coach, be prepared to put yourself first. Instead of looking for more leads, a new marketing campaign, or cool technology, you’ll be focused on first fixing yourself. Take the time to get to know your coach before committing to working with them in this capacity. If you do, you will be better able to take their direct feedback about improving your interpersonal opportunities.
Takeaway No. 3: Business Coaching is a one-of-a-kind model. As I studied more about the concerns and challenges that coaches face, I found that many struggles to strike a balance between offering value-impact coaching to individuals and charging for it. I heard several instances regarding clients who sought free counseling. This procedure reinforced my opinion that there is a distinction between advice, mentorship, and coaching. Advice is free and may be given by anybody. A mentor is someone who has obvious knowledge and competence in a sector or arena and so gives counsel to someone in order to assist them to avoid landmines. And coaching, which may be somewhat independent of expertise, involves a partner on the sidelines who can assist you think about your decisions and actions in order to establish stronger personal habits and methods that will lead to prosperity.
Conclusion? Owners of businesses should hire the best coach for their needs. The key is to take the time to locate the best coach for you. Don’t just assume they have experience in your business because they have a solid track record.
Here are three crucial questions to ask yourself before seeking a coach:
- What am I hoping to gain from working with a coach? How do I expect to be different in terms of money? Personally?
- How much money will I invest today? Can I put $500 aside each month? A $1,000 monthly salary? The degree of investment you make may have an impact on the quality of coaching you receive.
- What is my non-negotiable background? Is it necessary for them to have entrepreneurship or sales expertise, or to be published, authors?
Here are some things to ask your prospective coach:
- How many repeat customers do you now have on a regular basis?
- How do you keep your clients?
- How long do clients typically work with you?
These questions will help you find the best coach for you and provide you with the insights you need to have the best years of your life in 2020 and beyond.