8 Ways Coaching — Whether It's Business or Personal — Can Change Your Life A coach can guide you to the next level. Here's how.
By Brian McKittrick Edited by Kara McIntyre
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If you are looking to ascend to another level personally or within your organization, you may want to consider working with a coach. But if you are unsure about how to find a coach or what to work on with a coach, here are some facts about coaching that may help you.
You may be wondering, "What does coaching mean, exactly?" Well, I'm glad you asked.
In the past 10+ years, coaching has gotten increasingly prevalent. Because of this, many different definitions of the term "coaching" have emerged. Many people first think of coaching in the form of sports, but today, there are several various types of coaching programs, therefore coaching can mean anything from the following:
- A process that provides an individual with feedback, insight and guidance on achieving their full potential in their business or personal life.
- The development of a range of appliable skills and abilities, or a model of communicating with others, which helps develop both parties.
- A professional relationship in which you work with a mentor to outline your options, set goals and create action plans to achieve these goals.
Let's discuss two main types of coaching: life coaching and business coaching.
Related: How to Become a Coach That Makes a Real Difference
Five benefits of business coaching
A business coach is a mentor that focuses on improving a component of your company that may be struggling or an area you'd like to develop. This relationship and the conversations tend to be project-based with specific targets and metrics. A great business coach will outline a clear vision of success, and then fill in the steps to take to achieve the goal.
- Team performance. The increase in performance is the primary benefit of corporate coaching. This develops the positive qualities of individuals and teams, and enables their use for the general good of the business. Therefore, corporate coaching in management significantly increases staff productivity.
- Communication. A coaching session is a question-and-answer type of conversation, which provides value to both parties. This establishes an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. When a business leader has a great coach, it will typically lead to better communication with their staff. Good interactions in the workplace pave the way for productive staff teamwork, whereas the rules and directions used for the characteristics of directive management are not as likely to bring about such positive changes.
- Training and development. Training and development of staff are essential for any company. It allows employees to grow and improve their skills, which in turn increases efficiency and productivity. Coaching is one method of staff development that enables employees to learn and grow in their roles. Therefore, it is vital for management to create an environment that supports and encourages employee development.
- Organization's ability to adapt. Flexibility and adaptability are primary skills that business owners need to stay competitive in the modern digital age. That is why help through coaching is so vital for entrepreneurs today.
- Staff morale. Coaching provides individuals with guidance to develop their potential, increase their self-esteem and improve their work quality. In today's workforce, people are motivated to work of their own volition, not a constraint. By coaching employees, employers can create a more productive and efficient workforce.
Related: If You Haven't Hired a Business Coach, You're Holding Yourself Back
Three benefits of personal coaching
A personal coach, or life coach, is a mentor that will work with a mentee on improving areas of your life outside of business. The coaching sessions may include work on home life, friend and family relationships, or even well-being, such as mental and/or physical health. Some personal coaches even incorporate spiritual and religious guidance.
- Improvements in personal interactions. The quality of one's life is greatly improved when that person is emotionally satisfied. This is something that must be taken into account within ourselves. Having awareness and controlling our emotions well is not just for our own benefit but also is paramount in managing a team of employees. Proper coaching in your personal development can have a massive impact on improving all of our relationships, as well as motivating employees to do their best work by providing them with the emotional support they may be looking for in their job role.
- Creative thinking. When you have a mentor, there comes along with it an increase in creativity because the coaching sessions uncover ideas we may not have had otherwise. This is one of the most important reasons why businesses should invest in coaching. Coaching creates an environment where the mentee feels comfortable running their thoughts and ideas by their coach. Those ideas are then evaluated and implemented to improve an area of need. One innovative idea can generate many more, making coaching a vital investment for any business.
- Trust and confidence. Coaching helps people access hidden resources and potential. By creating an atmosphere of trust and confidence, coaches can help their clients discover inner resources they didn't know about before. The coach's questions reveal how the mentee will determine whether their goals are within reach. Coaching facilitates the development of a person's internal compass, hence understanding how to achieve their goals becomes clear.
Related: Coaching: The Best-Kept Secret to Growing as an Entrepreneur
To summarize
Although we could talk at length about the benefits of coaching, it is a powerful tool that allows fantastic results to be achieved. Many high-performing business leaders will tell you the necessity of having a coach. By learning from a coach, you can then implement what you have learned, making it today's most effective personnel management style.
Coaching is not a theory but rather a practice that is not difficult to master. To see its efficacy, try implementing coaching into your personal and organizational development. The results, even from the first attempt, are likely to be positive.
Regardless of what you decide to do with a coach, remember to keep it simple.
