When I discuss with clients who had worked in the past with coaches, in some cases I come across examples, that the outcome was not as expected for them. This can be quite disappointing, right? Business coaching is widely recognized as a valuable tool for professional development, leadership enhancement, and organizational growth. It has become an integral part of the corporate landscape, with many companies and professionals investing in partnering with a coach to support their employees and drive performance. To help avoid disappointments, I have listed here the most common reasons I have observed, so you can check if coaching will not work for you, before jumping into a coaching collaboration:
1. Lack of commitment: Coachee’s commitment and willingness to grow is critical. None can help you if you do not want. Is like going to the gym but not exercising. Limited commitment happens more often when the organization has decided to hire a coach and team members or executives are not aligned or clear about the benefits and the process, therefore they are not willing to fully contribute. If it is difficult for the decision makers to influence the employees, the coach can help work first on that level and then move to the business coaching program so they can bring results.
2. Organizational Issues: The decision to hire a coach is not taken or supported by the right stakeholders within the business. Unless the coach has leadership’s support, the program will not work. Employees will not give the right attention to the process and results will be less than targeted. So before investing in coaching services, make sure that leadership is aligned.
3. Limited resources: Coaching programs usually are adjusted to the people who are participating in the coaching program and are meant to facilitate growth in a way that fits their schedules and availability. However, in some cases, people are so overloaded that cannot spend even the minimum amount of time for development. In those cases, alignment with leadership is required, to prioritize activities, until coaching results start to be visible, and workload becomes less overwhelming (eg. Time management, process simplification, effective meetings etc)
4. Severe financial or operational challenges: Require immediate actions and results. Remember that coaching is about developing the right business muscles. That, takes time and effort. If business is within a crisis, a consultant might be needed as well to look for some shortcuts and quick fixes in order to release some resources that are critical to overcome the status of panic.
5. Coach does not become part of the business: Coaching is a business growth and success catalyst. Is all about understanding in depth your strengths and areas for development and facilitating this growth. Methods and technics are proven that bring results, however the real game changer is to partner with the coach. And partnership means that the coach is becoming part of the organization, not a trainer that visits from time to time, provides some sessions and is out of the business environment. Businesses and professionals that understand this are those enjoying the maximum benefit.
Extra hints: When selecting a Business coach, besides the proven coaching skills, methodologies and tools, is recommended also to find a professional with strong business experience and counseling expertise. Regarding the experience, if your organization has or targeting to have for example, multicultural exposure, virtual meetings etc, is really useful that your coach has already been in that place and felt the challenges and the opportunities from inside. On the counseling topic, coach is dealing with people, therefore it can be very helpful to be able to understand if a mental issue is hiding behind observations such as: a difficult business attitude of a team member, high volume of absences, delays in goals completion, lack of commitment etc.
Do you want to explore if working together will help you transform your organization or your career to a championship? Would you like to know more about my holistic approach Bridging Brains & Simplifying Processes Method that expedites results? Then feel free to book a Discovery Session.
You can also check this article for 5 great reasons to work with a business coach
Your People in Business Expert,
Sylvia
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