Every day of the week, I have the opportunity (yes – a true opportunity) to work with amazing, talented women who are making diligent, weekly steps to achieve their goals. It gives me such joy to be on this life journey with them because they are all blossoming by using their own unique, sometimes hidden, talents and gifts. But one of the biggest revelations my clients share with me is that they didn’t realize they really needed a coach and were a little skeptical about the whole “coaching” thing until they started working with one.

I’ve been dubbed by them as a “Concierge Coach” – meaning that whether their needs are business coaching, life coaching, health and wellness coaching, spiritual coaching, organizational or time-management coaching, and many other categories, my job is to use coaching skills to facilitate how to get them to their goals. I say those skills are partly learned in rigorous schooling and training, partly intuitive, and partly spirit. Before working with all clients, I say a prayer and ask for guidance and the right words, questions, and intuitive hits to direct our work together.

Some of the greatest coaches in the world have special gifts that translate into helping clients move into a deeper awareness of themselves, so they can facilitate the changes they want to make in their lives. The client is the lead. The coach is the support.

A client sent me a Darren Hardy article one day after one of our coaching sessions ended. It is titled The 8 Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make. He writes about this one mistake:

     BEING SMART … and not seeking the help you need

“Michael Jordan didn’t win a single NBA championship (seven seasons straight) until Phil Jackson was the head coach. Then he won three in a row. Kobe Bryant spent four years trying to win a championship to no avail. Then Phil Jackson became the head coach and Kobe won three in a row. Phil Jackson amassed an unprecedented 11 NBA championships. The difference wasn’t the player – it was the coach.” 

This is what a good coach does … we take good people and work towards making them great!

So, do you REALLY need a coach? The answer is a resounding YES. A good coach does not tell you what to do. A good coach asks you the right questions and uses the right tools, so you can gain a deep awareness about yourself and identify the blocks that are holding you back, so you can figure out how to remove them.

Why should you hire a coach? Here are some reasons based on the 2017 International Coach Federation (ICF) Global Coaching Client Study:

• Optimize individual/team work performance
• Improve communication skills
• Increase self-esteem/self-confidence
• Increase work productivity

Additional ICF studies show that satisfaction among coaching clients translates to a significant return on investment (ROI) for companies and individuals. Studies show that 86% of companies have said they’ve earned their investment back. Clients have stated they’ve experienced an ROI of 50 times their investment, whereas others have experienced an ROI of at least 10 to 49 times the investment. This translates into more money and income in your pocket if you work with a coach. Other benefits include less stress, more accountability, clarity, balance, increased health, increased vision and awareness of yourself, and higher levels of success through goal setting.  

Beware of one caveat when hiring a coach, though. Do your research before you pay anyone any money! Here’s why. The coaching industry is unregulated. Technically, anyone can call themselves a “coach.” Make sure you’re not being sold snake oil. Look for a coach who is ICF credentialed or has gone through rigorous training at an accredited school.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What is your coaching experience?
• What is your coach-specific training (ICF-approved training program or other coach- specific training)?
• What is your coaching specialty?
• What specialized experience do you have and use in your coaching?
• Do you have any success stories?

Most importantly, do you feel comfortable with the coach you are seeking to hire. You must develop a very personal relationship that is based on trust and intimacy. Sometimes their schooling may not matter to you if you feel they can help you develop a strong inner compass and awareness.

So, take the next step! You REALLY do need a coach if you want to live an exquisite life and become elite. And one parting note to consider … most good coaches have coaches themselves.