In last week’s post, I reported the results of a LinkedIn poll about people investing in developing their leadership ability this year. Over half the respondents said they are seeking to challenge themselves to move outside their comfort zone and do great work. If you set yourself a stretch objective at the start of the year and your momentum is slipping, it’s not too late to get help from a coach.

Here are a few reasons engaging a coach can be valuable. 

✅ Give you an outside perspective

Sometimes you can’t see the wood from the trees. 

A coach can provide an outside perspective, which can help you see things you might be unwilling or unable to see for yourself. 

✅ Be your trusted partner

As we all know, it can be lonely at the top.

It’s hard to find someone you can trust to discuss your challenges.

Colleagues may have their agendas, and friends and family members may be well-intentioned but don’t have the expertise.

 A coach is there to ensure you win.

✅ Tell it to you straight

There are plenty of people who will tell you what you would like to hear.

Colleagues and team members may be reluctant to give you honest feedback. 

But a coach’s job is to tell you what you need to hear.

✅ Hold you accountable

It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-sabotage or procrastination when we don’t have someone holding us accountable. 

We are all inclined to let ourselves off the hook, particularly with our commitments to ourselves.

With a coach, you have someone invested in your success, who won’t let you give up on yourself.

✅ Help you play a bigger game

We have the potential to accomplish great things, but sometimes we get stuck in a rut, accept mediocrity, or think “near enough is good enough”.

A coach can challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and help you take on bigger, more ambitious goals. 

Coachees often report that having someone believe in them more than they believed in themselves helped them unlock their full potential. 

🙋 What are the reasons having a coach could be valuable in your view? 🙋

Read more about how coaching can help develop your leadership influence in my book, Leadership Is Changing the Game.

Best regards, Brian