Coaching FAQs
“What could I expect to get out of leadership coaching?”
In sports and in leadership, a great coach can be critical to your success. I have had the privilege of working with multiple coaches, both on the court and in the conference room. (Their influence and guidance in my life are what inspired me to coach leaders today.) While I could have chosen to go it alone in the workplace or ignore their counsel from the sidelines, I have found there are three tremendous benefits of leadership coaching:
1. Coaches see your potential.
Sometimes our preferred future is not as easy to see as a “win” on a scoreboard. When your future seems fuzzy, a good coach can help provide clarity. Other times, we aren’t sure what position to play or what opportunities really “fit” our unique abilities. A coach’s thoughtful questions and experience can help you determine your strengths and what you were uniquely created to do.
2. Coaches help you overcome pitfalls.
I can’t tell you how many times I have missed a critical shot or had a disastrous performance in a key meeting and left feeling all hope was lost. Failure, fear, mistakes, or missed opportunities can trip us up and leave us dazed and confused before the finish line. A coach can lift your head and help you recover from an injury (to your ego or your career), learn from your experience, and see potential pitfalls on the horizon.
3. Coaches help enhance your performance.
My high school coaches were quick to size up my skills and find the right fit for me on the court. They would also push me in practice (and afterward) toward exercises and drills that would help me grow in my position. Good coaches can help you grow in your leadership strengths and manage around your weaknesses in the workplace. Armed with resources and recommendations, a coach can help you create a personal growth plan to help you become the leader you were created to be.
“How do I know if I’m ready for a leadership coach?”
I strongly believe every leader needs a circle of go-to coaches for the different aspects of his or her life. My circle includes a professional counselor, a certified spiritual director, several business mentors, experienced parenting advisors, and a trained leadership coach. Each of these valuable relationships provides the specific tools and direction I need to take the next steps in that area of my life. My leadership coach helps me grow and move past the obstacles looming large in the way of my goals.
If you’re wondering if you are ready for a leadership coach, consider your answers to these five questions:
Do you feel stuck in an area of your leadership?
Do you want to grow in your leadership but aren’t sure how?
Have you stepped into a new position and needing to level up your leadership?
Are you feeling called to a bigger vision or dream and needing to re-arrange your life or leadership to accomplish that calling?
Are you willing to accept input from someone who will encourage you, challenge you, and offer objective feedback?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, an experienced leadership coach can provide the support you need to confidently move forward in the season ahead.
“What do I look for in a coach?”
When considering working with a coach, the following are my top five characteristics to look for in a leadership coach:
Solid Qualifications: A professional coach worth considering will have certification(s), training, and experience in coaching. It’s ok to ask where and how much training he or she has received as well as how long that individual has been coaching and at what level.
Glowing Recommendations: A professional coach of high value will be recommended by others and will offer references. Ask trusted friends, mentors, or pastors for the names of leadership coaches they would recommend. Then ask the coaches you are considering to provide you with professional references or anonymous client testimonials. Good coaches are also quick to recognize when to recommend leaders to outside resources like counselors, pastors, mentors, trainers, etc.
Free Consultations: A good coach is happy to have a free, get-to-know-you consultation session. This session allows you ask any questions you may have about coaching and will also help you see if this coach will be a good fit for your personality and your goals.
Powerful Questions: A quality coach is a wonderful listener and not a lecturer. His or her questions should challenge your thinking and bring about new awareness.
Action Orientation: In a leadership coaching relationship, the focus should be on helping you move forward and take action. Look for a coach who has your best, your success, and your goals as the focus and not his or her own agenda.
Just like an athletic coach, professional coaching is an investment in your leadership and your future. If you are looking for a coach to help you find the clarity and confidence you need in your leadership journey, I would be happy to help. You can email me at julie@get4sight.com or click here to schedule a free, 30 minute discovery call today.
20 Recommended Lead Reads
Leaders are readers.
Leaders are challenged by new ideas and timeless principles found in the latest bestsellers as well as the classics. I often get asked for my favorite leadership books and find myself recommending some of the same ones over and over. The following is a list of my Top 20 Recommended Lead Reads (in alphabetical order). Some are traditional leadership or business books and others are focused on the inner work of leadership. All have had a significant impact on the person and leader I am today. Happy Reading!
The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, & Strength by Jenni Catron
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Boundaries for Leaders by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier
Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results by Judith E. Glaser
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene Brown
Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others by Cheryl Bachelor
Empowering Leadership: How a Leadership Development Culture Builds Better Leaders Faster by Michael Fletcher
Follow the Cloud: Hearing God’s Voice One Next Step at a Time by John Stickl
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck - Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Jim Collins
The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow by Mark Miller
LeaderShift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John Maxwell
Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships that All of Us Have to Give Up to Move Forward by Dr. Henry Cloud
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip and Dan Heath
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton
Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie
Wired to Resist: The Brain Science of Why Change Fails and A New Model for Driving Success by Britt Andreatta