When I started running, I had the opportunity to work with a coach and I turned it down. I did not see the benefit of having a coach, after all – how hard could it be, right? You put one foot in front of the other and just run. Well, I learned the hard way that “doing it myself” resulted in mediocre results. Having a coach provided tools and resources that I could never have imagined or that I never would have thought of on my own. Some examples include; what to eat, how to train, rest, what sneakers to wear and how to train on off days. All these tips were equally important as putting one foot in front the other, improving results and helping me to avoid mistakes. The same is true in business – what to improve results – get a coach or mentor.
In my coaching business, I have a saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know”, and unfortunately there is absolutely nothing that prepares you for these scenarios better than working with someone who has already been through it and developed best practices. I remember when I first started in the security guard business, I was unaware of the intricacies in managing a labor force, and I thought it was as simple as hiring qualified officers and putting them work. Nothing prepared me for the issues around employee relations, scheduling, and onboarding and employee disputes. Today, after many years of trial and error, we have best practices for hiring, training and managing security officers and avoiding costly labor issues. The same is true for sub-contracting agreements, I remember years ago being so grateful to have a new contract, I was unaware of what to look for in a sub-contractor agreement. I missed several important considerations like how to get out of agreements if the prime contractor did not meet their obligations, or how to get paid if the prime contractor defaulted. I could on and on – the fact is it was not until I started working with more experienced coaches did I avoid some of these pitfalls and started to improve results.
Today, in addition to coaching clients, I also have a coach; in fact, most successful entrepreneurs have either a coach or mentor. Savvy entrepreneurs want the road map, tips, resources, and best practices that experienced coaches can bring to the table. Coaches also provide accountability by helping business owners to stay on track with specific and measurable goals. If you are considering hiring a coach, know that there are a lot of people marketing themselves as coaches because they have done something well and they think they can coach you into doing the same. To that end, before hiring a business coach, know that business coaching is a skill, just because someone is good at something does not mean they will be a good coach. Ask potential coaches how many clients they have coached in the past year and what results have they helped their clients achieve, and then verify that information. Next, look for professional training and certifications and specific areas of expertise – again verify the information. Professional Coaches are certified. Ideally, you want to work with someone who has already achieved the results you desire.
