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•Tell your coach candidates what you perceive your goals are right now. Also tell each candidate what you are willing, and not willing, to do to meet them. Ask them what they can do to help.
•Discuss upfront how you and your coach will work together when you don’t agree. A good coach will push you in directions that you don’t agree with or that make you uncomfortable. Sometimes a good coach will tell you about certain negative behaviors you have that you don’t necessarily want to change. Ask how you and
coach will deal with these issues.
•Trust your gut. Some business owners prefer a coach with a similar style, while others want to possess characteristics they observe in a coach who has a different personality. Go with one you think you can best work with.
So you’ve selected your coach. What comes next? Most coaches will want to re-evaluate your goals with you first. You’ll also discuss strengths, weaknesses, problems and concerns. Next you will likely develop a plan of action. Here are some things to remember when working with a coach:
•Nothing will change overnight. Commit to at least a year of coaching before you re-evaluate its effectiveness.
•Make coaching a priority. Business owners tend to put business at hand over every other function. However, coaching can help you cut down on time it takes to do business. Make coaching priority.
•Be willing to consider doing things differently. Note that I’m not saying to actually DO things differently. There’s a difference between that and considering possibility. Most of us need to ease ourselves into transitions and changes. Being willing to change is first step.
•Be honest with your coach. You’ve chosen a coach who you feel will be honest with you, and you must reciprocate. In fact, not being honest will most likely be a waste of time for both of you. It’s important that you develop trust with your coach.
•Take crisis issues to your coach. As top person in your organization, your coach can be your sounding board for dealing with tough problems. It never hurts to get a different perspective.
Working with a business coach is a rewarding experience. You’ll learn about gifts and talents that you never even knew you possessed. You’ll face issues that you hoped would never see light of day. And both you and your business will grow in ways you never thought possible! ******************** Copyright 2003 Kate Smalley Connecticut Secretary http://www.connecticutsecretary.com kms@connecticutsecretary.com ********************
Kate Smalley, President, Connecticut Secretary. Connecticut Secretary provides freelance administrative and secretarial support services to companies around the world.
