Do I need a business coach?

John Jones III http://www.10minutes.org asks:

When should I consider a business coach, if at all?

Great question, John.

Since I am a business coach, you’re probably expecting me to say, “John, if you’re serious about your business, you should have a coach. In fact, all business owners should hire a coach.”

Nope. I’m not going to say that. A good coach knows when a client isn’t ready. A desperate coach will take anyone.

Let me explain.

First off, you can hire a coach at ANY stage of your business, but that doesn’t mean that you should. Think about it this way. A coach really is like a personal trainer. A trainer can help you if you’ve just started out on a new regimen, bored with your workout routine, trying to lose weight or training for something big. Kind of like your business. Anyone can hire one, but if you’re not going to stick with the program, it won’t be a good use of your time or money.

So here is my Am I ready to hire a coach quiz:

1. Am I willing to make the financial investment? Coaching isn’t cheap, at least good coaching isn’t. It’s a long-term investment. Yes, you will see some benefits up front, but don’t go into it as a last resort or expecting a quick fix. Real change takes time, so be sure that you’re willing to make the financial investment to make it happen.
2. Am I ready to really TRY? Like most things, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you just show up each week and expect the coach to do all the work, guess what? You’re quickly going to wonder why you’re paying someone for a bunch of questions. It’s the client’s job to go into each meeting with objectives for the meeting, updates, and questions. It also means that your coach will be pushing you to take action between meetings. Are you ready for some accountability?
3. Do I need a push? No matter how self-motivated you are, sometimes you need a push, new ideas or motivation. Again, think of the personal trainer. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, that is the perfect time to hire a coach.
4. Do I need objective feedback? Face it, your friends and family have a vested interest in your choices and they’re probably not shy about telling you what they think. Sometimes you need a sounding board, not advice.
5. Are you willing to get naked? To make any real change, you’ve got to get naked. That means that you have to be willing to look at the stuff that’s held you back in the past. It’s vulnerable, scary and humbling. If you’re willing to go there, you and your coach can make huge strides.

If you answered yes, then the next step is how to hire a coach. That’s a whole ‘nother post, but I’ll leave you with this. You are hiring someone to be your partner. They are going to go through a lot with you, so make sure you want them in your inner circle. Trust. Connection. Respect. Those are the makings of a successful coaching relationship.

Hope that helps, John.

Starla