Benefits of a Career Coach
“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. “ ~ John Wooden
Could a Career Coach Help You?
Last week I wrote about the importance of capitalizing on good events. (If you missed it, you can read, Share It: It’s Good for You here.)
So, in the spirit of sharing good news, I decided to share an email that I got from a client that hired me last week to help her with some career coaching: “After leaving our appointment today, I had some time to reflect on everything that we talked about and I really feel that our meeting was incredibly beneficial and exactly what I needed to get me back on the career track.”
Of course, I was delighted. But perhaps you are wondering if this is just a lucky fluke or if there really is something to this coaching business. If you are, you might be interested in what the New York Times said in their Career Couch column about why ‘the big leagues” are hiring career coaches.
- Professionals enlist coaches to accelerate their careers, to get help with making decisions, cultivating a presence and achieving self-awareness. Coaches can provide honest, unfiltered feedback, which is hard to find at the highest levels of an organization, says Joseph R. Weintraub, a psychologist and director of the Coaching for Leadership and Teamwork Program at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.
- For midlevel professionals, a coach can help identify what needs to be done to reach the executive level. Coaches also focus on interpersonal skills, helping people communicate and network more effectively, says Todd Dewett, a leadership development coach and management professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
- Through conversations with direct reports, peers, customers and managers, coaches seek to gain a realistic picture of the client. “People who give this feedback to the coach are often not willing or able to give it directly to the executive,” says Mr. Weintraub, co-author with James M. Hunt of “The Coaching Manager: Developing Top Talent in Business.”
There is other good information in the NY Times article about what kind of credentials a coach should have (I am a Board Certified Coach, by the way) how much coaching typically costs and what the coaching process is like. But I liked the answer to this question, since this is a question that I get asked a lot:
What concrete results can a coach accomplish?
Typically, coaching changes behavior, and that affects what you achieve professionally, Ms. Johnson says. As Ms. Harris puts it, “I coach ambitious people, and through coaching they increase their influence and value within the organization.” Not everyone’s goal, however, is to get to the C-suite: “A lot of the executives I coach,” she says, “just want to do their jobs better and be happier.”
If you think that you would like to have a career coaching session, please schedule a complimentary session on my on-line calendar at www.lynnkjones.com. I coach people around the globe on the phone and on Skype. If you are in the Santa Barbara area, I welcome you to the Possibility Agents office on State Street.
P.S. Since everything is better shared, please share this blog link with your friends!
Dr. Lynn K. Jones is a Board Certified Coach and an Advanced Certified Personal and Executive Coach based in Santa Barbara, California and a sought after coach and consultant for organizations and individuals across the US. Her doctoral work completed at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University concerned organizational culture; she coaches, consults and trains organizations on what they need to do to create organizational cultures that are aligned with their vision and values using a process of Appreciative Inquiry. She coaches individuals on achieving their reflected best selves. A MSW@USC faculty member, Dr. Lynn K. Jones, MSW, DSW, CSWM, teaches Human Behavior and Social Environment and Leadership to social work students at the University of Southern California.
BCC Board Certified Coach #1487
Hello Dr. Jones,
This is an interesting article and perspective on career coaching. As you know of my struggles with my career, and I have been thinking about either expanding or changing the field. Social Work has skills that will benefit me no matter what career choice I make. But I am just reflecting on different things I can do. Really interesting to see that there are professionals I can speak to if needed.
Neha.
For sure, @Neha. I would be happy to talk to you about your career. Sign up for a free coaching session by hitting the “set a meeting” button above! Love to help you think through your different options.
Appreciatively,
Lynn
Hello Dr. Jones,
I am so sorry for replying so late. I am currently enrolled in the PsyD program so things just got so busy. I just checked back to your site while taking a break from my assignments. As of right now, my career graph has moved in the right direction but will definitely outreach to you if needed help in the future.
@Neha Duggal Delighted to hear that things are on track, Neha! Stay in touch and all the best.
Dr. Jones
It’s nice to see not only your credentials but the response of your recent client.
Interweaving what the New York Times says is just icing on the cake.
I especially like that co-workers may know what needs to change but not feeling safe to say it, would happily let the coach say it. And then the coach can help that change occur.
Great post Dr. Lynn!
@Calla, I agree the coach can fulfill an important role in organizations when they are able to talk about the elephant in the room.
Appreciatively,
Lynn
This is a great article on the value of coaching! Seems like if you put the work in, the ROI is invaluable.
Lynn K. Jones it is great to see that the benefits of coaching are getting the credit they deserve. I wonder how much, percentage wise, you would say coaching involves the work put in by the client as a ratio to guidance from the coach. Is most of the progress seen as ~50%/50% efforts in this relationship?
@Patricia Dugan Lynn K. Jones Interesting question. Probably at least 50/50 if not more on the part of the client. The coach is just really igniting possibilities–it is up to the client to run with them!
LJ
Lynn-I love what you say about coaching people to from mid level to executive positions, but that coaching can also help the average person in their general outlook on life. Coaching isn’t just for the high powered business person. The techniques are universal to personal growth and happiness.
@Alison Freeman Thanks for commenting and underscoring that important point, Alison!
Appreciatively,
Lynn
@Alison Freeman What a great point, Alison. It turns out that most people want the same thing, whether you are a “high powered business person” or not. As humans we want to always be growing and cultivating happiness. Indeed, coaching increasingly is shown to be effective in helping people from all walks of life be able to do that.
Appreciatively,
Lynn
When we take a break from complaining about our jobs and getting some coaching instead, it’s a proactive solution that can enhance our lives on so many levels. Thank you Dr. Lynn!
@MelodeeMeyer I love that you picked up on the fact that coaching is proactive. We are so used to focusing on the negative, it is truly remarkable how a coach can help turn around what seems like an impossible situation by focusing on the positive.
Appreciatively,
Lynn
Great post Lynn. Coaching can benefit many people in many areas of their lives, but the ROI is that much more valuable if it improves your working life. The flow on effects of career coaching is greater joy at work, earning power and the reaching of your potential.
@Maria Cordi Yes, we now have concrete research that shows the ROI to organizations who invest in coaching for their folks and to individuals who make this empowering choice for themselves.
Appreciatively,
Lynn