There is no doubt that business coaching will help you reach higher levels of success and build on your existing strengths. But it’s important for you to understand that it’s you who will be doing all the heavy-lifting as far as setting goals & implementation is concerned. This is exactly why you have to be well-prepared for the experience to see whether it matches your needs.
Relevant Questions
Here are 7 questions any business coach will ask you and this will help you decide whether the entire exercise is going to be beneficial to you:
#1 Are you ready to make changes in your business?
Some people are intimidated by change, while others find it exciting and rejuvenating. Changes in business can range from taking on new staff or making changes in your attitudes, behaviour, beliefs and habits. When a business coach asks you this question s/he wants to understand what your current level of discomfort is and the amount of discomfort you would have if you have to deal with many changes
#2 Are you ready to commit energy & time to reach your goals?
At the start of every year, you are all charged-up, aim very high & want to make some big changes in order that you have a great year. But some people tend to fall right off the wagon even before February ends. They find the enthusiasm wearing off and achieving those goals takes a back seat. Though a business coach will encourage and support you to stick to your goals and help you achieve them, he/she still wants to understand exactly how committed you are
#3 Are you willing to be held accountable for your actions?
A business coach will try to judge how responsible you are and whether you are open to being held accountable for your actions. Once you have put your goal on paper & committed to a task, your business coach is going to hold you accountable. It goes without saying that there may be delays, challenges and excuses, but your coach will definitely ask you whether you would like to recommit your task & whether anything is deterring you from completing it. You should be able to tell him/her if you feel you are open to being held accountable
#4 Are you able to be honest, willing and open to receiving feedback?
In order that a coaching relationship be successful, it is important that you be honest and open. Your coach will hold up the mirror to you and will be very objective when they tell you what can be possible. You should be willing to take that constructive feedback in a very positive manner
#5 Are you comfortable with making your own decisions & not being told what has to be done?
There will be times when you are impatient to know the answer. You may present your coach with facts, ask him/her what they would do. The minute you delegate this kind of decision making to someone else, it hampers your ability to take full ownership of that situation. Your coach will be there to brainstorm ideas and discuss all the pros and cons, but at the end of every meeting, the decision will always be yours.
#6 Do you understand the true value of growing professionally?
When you run a business, lessons will come to you regardless of whether you are ready or not. You should be willing to look at every tough situation as a great opportunity to build confidence, mature & overcome limiting beliefs. You should be able to manage stress and cope with challenges, as well as maintain the ability to accept your business coach’s perspective even when its different from your own.
#7 Are you comfortable with spending money on professional development?
As a business owner you are bound to have a number of financial commitments and you should be able and willing to set aside some money for your professional development fund.
A good business coach will always partner with you on your learning journey, encourage you to stay on track, brainstorm ideas to make the going easier & identify your strengths and the things you are doing well; but you need to identify whether you are ready and willing for all these things.
About the Author
Ben Fewtrell is a sought-after Business Coach, Keynote Speaker and trainer who has featured in Virgin’s Inflight Magazine and Entertainment Portal, SKY Business and “Secrets of Top Business Builders Exposed”. He is also the host of the popular Business Brain Food Podcast where he interviews leading experts on anything and everything business.
