Once you have reached a certain level of success, you may feel as if your business is running you, rather than you running your business, says April-Lynn Levitt, coach with the Personal Coach in Oakville, Ont.
You run the risk of getting “stuck” if you become overwhelmed by competing demands. This is this type of problem that spurs many advisors to hire a coach, says Sara Gilbert, founder of Strategist Business Development in Montreal.
A coach can help you move from being an “entrepreneur” to a “business owner,” Gilbert says. That means building efficiency into your business so that you’re better equipped to sell your business one day at a higher value.
A coach can help you achieve these goals, but only if you find a coach who is appropriate to your needs. To help you find the right coach, here are three questions to ask coaching candidates:
> What type of commitment is required?
You will have to make a commitment to meet with your coach regularly, and to act on the agreed-upon recommendations. “Coaching is as good as the actions you will take afterward,” Gilbert says.
If you’re meeting a coach only twice a year, for example, you can’t expect much change to occur, Gilbert adds. She recommends that you meet with your coach on a monthly or quarterly basis. It’s hard to determine how long coaching relationships last, as many can go on for years, but both Gilbert and Levitt suggest at least a 12-month commitment to measure change.
“If you’re not ready to take the time and do the work,” Gilbert says, “you should evaluate whether it’s the right time to hire a coach because it does require you take time to step away from the business to work on the business.”
> What is the preferred style of communication?
Many coaching firms conduct business over the phone or Skype, which can offer flexibility if both of you travel frequently. However, if you prefer more personal communication, ask how often coaches are willing to meet face to face. Many advisors even ask if coaches will visit their office because it may hold them to a higher level of accountability, Levitt says.
> Do you work with individuals or teams?
It’s important to know whether the coach will be focused on your growth as an individual or that of your entire team, Levitt says. If your team is included in the process, they may be better able to assist in making any necessary changes around the office.
You risk alienating team members if you visit a coach individually, and then make changes immediately without everyone’s consent, Levitt adds. Team coaching may also be a strong consideration if you are in the process of succession planning.
This is the second part in a two-part series on finding a coach.