For an athlete to reach the peak of their ability, dedicated coaching is required to take them to that next level. In today’s business world, the exact same principal applies for executives looking to take that next step forward in their careers. Seeking a coach that can truly bring the best out of you is paramount for focused future success.
So how do you know if a career coach is the right one for you?
Here are a few strategies that you should try to keep in mind before you make any decisions;
One-to-One Connection
First of all, and most importantly in our opinion, you will need to see if this is a person that you will enjoy working with. To get the most out of the career coaching service, you have to feel at ease with the person, so you can truly be 100% open and honest with them.
Give them a call, speak to them, and see if you can make that initial connection. Don’t be afraid to ask any correlated questions. As you talk to them see if you have rapport. From there, you can then begin to have a better idea whether or not this is a person that you feel you would enjoy working with on a one-to-one basis, which is crucial for effective coaching.
Career Development Experience
It is critical that you know how to identify an expert career coach who is able to deliver real results. Look at their experience, ask about their professional affiliations/references and try to determine their reputation within the industry. Check if their career expertise/experience is relevant and up-to-date with your own industry.
You have to be sure that they are capable of helping you to achieve the results you desire. It’s possible to make rapid progress with an experienced career coach who knows exactly what they’re doing rather than someone new to this area.
Career Coaching Style
Career coaching styles can vary from following tried and tested “text book” plans. Others offer a more dynamic and fresh approach to their coaching which can often be more up-to-date and be tailored to suit your individual needs.
It’s always insightful for you to know exactly how they plan to work with you to help you progress with your career.
Communication Skills
It’s imperative that both you and a career development coach have good communication skills amongst you. Communication always needs to be fast, clear and concise. If good communication is absent you can’t expect it to work as well as it should.
Coaching Sessions/Services Cost
Of course you will want to find out what the expenses of these sessions and service are before you begin with any coaching. Don’t hesitate to ask your coach exactly how much the sessions and services they provide cost before you begin.
Some people may find these expenses superfluous at first. However, if you measure it in terms of making good future career results and advancement, it will start to look more like an insignificant investment into your future rather than an unnecessary cost.
The cut-throat business environment dictated by uncertain market conditions can place extreme demands on you and the role you fulfil in your current workplace. You may need to learn new skills, relearn old skills and face undue pressure from an increased workload.
Recruiting an expert career development coach will help you to overcome this adversity in the workplace and achieve your highest personal potential.
With career coaching, you can develop a strategy to either grow within your existing organization and / or career, alternatively change focus 360 degrees.
Do you feel that you have an aptitude for more than what you are currently doing? If so, a career strategist will put you on the right track with thought-provoking questions that will help you ascertain the pillars that define your priorities.
Step one in overcoming change is to question your commitment to change. How hungry are you to change? Are you prepared to make certain sacrifices that may be necessary for your new goal plan? Do you have the resolve to see through the change?
Remember, that although a career coach serves as someone to support you along the way, you are still the person doing all the work.
Equip yourself with a list of your motivations to change. In the eye of the storm, you will need to hold tight onto this list to not waiver from your plan.
Ask yourself, What has it cost you mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially to settle on a job that pays the bills instead of following your dreams?
Spend two to three minutes on each of the questions below. Don't take a lot of time to think of your response, just write down the first thoughts that come to mind.
1. In what way does it serve you to play small instead of playing full-out in life?
2. How would following your ideal career impact on your happiness, your self-esteem and your personal growth?
3. What is holding you back?
4. How can you overcome self-sabotaging thoughts that paralyze you?
5. Are you determined against all odds to discover the real you?
Pen this powerful quote and keep it close when life blindsides you with unforeseen challenges:
A kite flies higher against the wind. Winston Churchill.
You may have recognized that there are certain things that you just aren’t that good at. And you may be thinking to yourself, Boy, that’s no good, I really shouldn’t have any weakness. I should really focus on those and make those better. That’s a mistake.
So what’s the better way to go?
Well let’s look at almost everyone’s favorite company Apple. Apple is really good at design, and making its products really easy for people to use. But Apple isn’t very good at making microchips. Should Apple focus all of its energy on making microchips? No. Apple should find someone else to make the microchips, say Intel, so it can focus on what it does best.
And you should try to do the same thing. Outsource to others what you aren’t good at. That means ask for help. When you can work with others, do it. That’s why you hear people talking about “teamwork” so much in the working world.
Different people add different skills sets. So the key is to really strengthen your strengths so that you can bring something new and different to the table. Make your strengths so outstanding, so people see you as the expert in that area.
Now you may be saying to yourself, well why don’t I do both? Fix my weaknesses and my strengths. But the truth is you don’t have infinite time. You need to sleep. If you had lots of strengths, you’d never have time to use all of them anytime, so they would just start getting weaker (like a muscle you don’t exercise).
Sure it’s worthwhile to make sure you reach a very basic level of skill in lots of things; so if push came to shove, you can get by okay. But once you reach that threshold, don’t burn yourself trying to do too many different things at the same time.
Focus on what you do best.