Ready to Work with a Coach? Here’s What You Need to Know Beforehand

You might think you are ready to work with a coach but how do you know for sure?

Recently, I had two interesting interactions related to the business coaching services I offer. One was someone who reached out to me because they were stuck and were looking for guidance on how to get unstuck and get their business off the ground. Another was someone with an out-dated business model looking for a way to turn the tides and increase revenues.

They had two very different reactions to coaching.

One individual used the art of inquiry to seek guidance and asked thoughtful questions around how to go deeper. They validated the conversation, took notes and brought ideas to the table. They took an active role in finding solutions to move their business forward with me.

The other was defensive. They were quick to shoot down suggestions and rationalized why every idea presented wouldn’t work. They missed the opportunity to fully hear what was being said and to be a positive contributor in changing the situation their business is currently in.

Are You Ready to Listen?

Communication is an important part of any coaching relationship. Communication should not be one-sided — both parties should be willing to explore options and work through things together. If you find yourself getting defensive with every suggestion and idea brought forward the chances are high that you are not ready for a coach.

There are many coaching styles out there and the reason most people hire a business coach is to get results faster. If you are not prepared to communicate and listen to what is being offered to you, you won’t get the results you are looking for and it’s not necessarily the coach’s fault. It may be because you’re just not ready to listen and you might be better suited to a self-led program like the Pilot To Profit Program.

If you are ready to listen, to explore options and collaborate with your coach then you are on the path to making changes.

Are You Ready to Take Action?

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. When you engage in a coaching relationship, you do so because something needs to change. Change requires effort, commitment and for you to take action.

Last year I hired a coach and the timing of the work they suggested I do was completely off. I couldn’t get any of what they suggested I do done because I didn’t know how, and my team didn’t have time to work on the project. I ended up not fully taking advantage of this opportunity because of timing.

I wasn’t able to take action. The coach showed up fully, they gave me great suggestions for everything I wanted to do but I wasn’t able to implement the work as quickly as I should have to fully take advantage of working with them.

Sometimes this happens when you hire a coach and you overextend yourself. You invest so much in the coaching program that you are financially tapped out and then you can’t hire the required resources to help you get things done.

If you’re ready to work with a coach, you should expect that there will be work to do and either you or someone you hire, will need to do it. Be prepared, wiling, and financially able to take action.

Are You Ready to Be Vulnerable?

Some of my clients show up 100% in the vulnerability department. They are not afraid to share their successes and their shortcomings. They know that being completely honest allows me to help them find the best solution to their problems.

Being honest like this requires a relationship of trust, and a certain level of vulnerability on your part. If you’re afraid to be completely honest about what is going on in your business, the timing might not be good to hire a coach.

When you are ready to work with a coach, you should be willing to talk about all aspects of your business, including financial problems, personal challenges that are preventing you from moving forward, and even challenges within your team. If you act as though everything is perfect because you are afraid of looking bad, you won’t get the results you need from working with a coach.

In the last couple of years, I have seen some coaches rise to almost celebrity status in the online space. If being around a coach like that intimidates you, you won’t feel comfortable being vulnerable with them. Choose a coach that you feel okay being completely honest with if you really want to get results.

I have one client who hired me specifically because I don’t live in the same city as her, and she likes my “don’t kiss and tell” policy that allows her to work with me without having the world know.

If you are looking for a coach, be comfortable with them and allow them to help you stretch, don’t be intimidated by their success.

Do You Know What You Want?

If you are not clear, it will be hard for you to evaluate the success of the coaching relationship.

In my last round of Profit Pods (my 90 day group coaching program), participants covered things like pricing, strategy, list building, Facebook ads and more. The participants who gained the most from the program came prepared in advance, knew what they wanted to get out of the program and stayed on task the entire time.

If you don’t know what you really want then you might not be ready for a coach. Make a list right now of the things you would like to see change in your business. Knowing what you want to accomplish by working with a coach is one of the most important first steps you can take.

Lastly, if you have never worked with a coach, consider whether or not a group coaching program might be a better fit. One of the things I valued the most about working with the participants in Profit Pods was how every person’s challenge seemed to always be exactly what someone else needed to learn. Sometimes there is extreme value in being coached with a group of your peers so you can see the challenges other business owners have.

Leave me a comment below and tell me the one thing you really want to accomplish with your business.