What is a coach and how is it different from a consultant?
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines them this way .. “a coach instructs or trains. … a consultant gives professional advice or services; an expert.”
That doesn’t really help you, does it? A coach can and should be an expert too. What matters more is that the coach is a teacher who is also your cheerleader and trains you so you can do it yourself and the consultant gives you advice and possibly does something for you.
You’ll eventually need a consultant but you need a business coach first.
Why should you have a business coach?
This is your first business, isn’t it? You were very good at your job and may have moved up through the ranks. You may have worked for a large corporation that had multiple offices. But this may be the first time you’ve had your own business and you probably don’t know what to do.
Don’t worry. If you hire the right coach, you will.
A coach knows the right questions to ask. A session with a coach could be a mini steeping session (like tea) where you shut out the world and reflect inwardly on what you want.
Who is the RIGHT coach and how do you find her/ him?
Here are some ideas.
- Make a list of these: who you are (do you ask a lot of questions?), how you’d like to work ( by phone or in person), how you learn (are you visual, auditory or kinaesthetic?).
- Talk to friends or colleagues who have their own business and ask who they used. Would they use them again? Refer them?
- If you don’t know anyone with their own business call a “stranger” who has a successful business that’s similar to the kind you want to begin and ask them if they’ll become your coach.
- Ask your mentor. That’s why you get one first.
- Make an appointment with several people who ARE coaches. Many have a free session. See who “fits” with you.
Remember …
• It’s YOUR decision.
• YOU choose them not vice versa.
• You’ll have a lot of no’s before you have a “yes”.
• Trust your feelings.
Let me know what happens. If you’re already in business then what criteria did YOU use to choose YOUR coach?
Originally posted February 3, 2012