There are many different coaching styles and just as many opinions as to which is best. Here is a list of what you can expect from the coaching relationship:
- Visionary: A coach helps you envision your desired outcome.
- Strategist: A coach helps you map out a plan to reach your goals.
- Partner: A coach helps you reach the desired goal.
- Trainer: A coach teaches you the skills, strategies and techniques to address your concerns.
- Resource: A coach provides resources and connections to ensure your success.
- Listener: A coach listens.
- Motivator: A coach inspires.
- Supporter: A coach provides support in difficult times.
- Advisor: A coach offers advice to help you grow.
- Guide: A coach helps you get and stay on track.
- Helper: A coach assists you with difficult assignments.
- Assertive: A coach is direct when needed.
- Accountability: A coach helps you reach your goals by checking in regularly.
Coaching is one of the six emotional leadership styles proposed by Daniel Goleman. Moreover, it is a behavior or role that leaders enforce in the context of situational leadership. As a leadership style, coaching is used when the members of a group or team are competent and motivated, but do not have an idea of the long-term goals of an organization. They need guidance and direction to help achieve those goals. This involves two levels of coaching: team and individual. Team coaching helps members work together. In a group of individuals, not everyone may have nor share the same level of competence and commitment to a goal. A group may be a mix of highly competent and moderately competent members with varying levels of skill and commitment. These differences can cause friction among the members. The coaching leader helps the members worth through their expectations and assumptions. The coaching leader manages differing perspectives so that the common goal is the driving force for the group or team, personal goals and interests while they may be important, are not the main focus. In a large organization, leaders need to align the members’ personal values and goals with that of the organization so that long-term directions can be pursued.
Once you have determined that you need to coach, ask yourself the following:
- What type of coach am I looking for?
- How much am I willing to invest?
- What are the characteristics of a coach that will work for me?
- Where do I find a great coach to meet my needs and help me with my goals?
- What do I hope to accomplish with a coach?
- What are my goals?
- How would I like to work with a coach (in person, virtually, group, one-on-one)?
- How much time am I willing to commit to working with a coach?
Hiring the right coach is an important decision. These questions are a starting point to finding the right coach for your needs and goals.
In addition to these questions, create a list of questions to ask any potential coach before hiring her or him. Questions can include past successes, how they work with clients, does he or she have a coach, what is their own life like in terms of achieving goals and balance, etc.
It is important to find the right coach just as its important to find the right support system. Surrounding yourself with people who will cheer you on, help you achieve your goals and guide you when making tough decisions will be the ultimate test of success. Remember, You Got This!
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