 The Six Myths of Coaching - It’s not just for wimps or under achievers.
And your business coach shouldn’t be a know-it-all.
By Patrick J. Donadio, MBA, CSP, MCC
As a business coach I find that many leaders have
preconceived notions about the latest management concept that is sweeping
businesses across the country. I am
talking about the concept of “Coaching”.
Whether you want to be a coach to your people or want to hire an outside
coach, the following “realities” about coaching will help you in the
decision process.
Myth:
Find a coach that has a similar personality to yours
Reality:
Coaching is about growth and commitment. Having
someone of the same personality may limit your growth and development.
Having a coach of a different personality style may offer a fresh
perspective and force you to go outside your comfort zone to reach new
potential.
Myth:
Professional Coaching focuses strictly on your professional life.
Reality:
You cannot totally separate your personal life from your work. A coach
has to be ready to listen to any and all challenges.
Coaching is about personal growth and development that can help people
grow professionally.
Myth: You have
the questions and your Coach has the answers.
Reality:
Not always true. Many of the answers are inside you and a good coach will
help you discover them. A coach
needs to be a good listener first. He
or she needs to correctly identify the areas of improvement and not always give
advice or criticism.
Myth: Coaching
is only for trouble or poor performing employees.
Reality: The
best coaching clients are the ones who have potential and are not reaching it or
employees who have reached a stumbling block or plateau.
It is much better to introduce coaching too early rather than too late.
Myth:
Men can’t coach women because women face work challenges only other
women can understand.
Reality:
Coaching is gender neutral. Sometimes coaches of the opposite sex can help
people see the issues from the other-s perspective.
Myth: You
can’t change a person-s personality. Therefore, coaching is limited in how far
it can help.
Reality:
True, you can’t necessarily change someone’s personality.
However, coaching can give you a new awareness and new skills to help you
change your behavior.
These are just a few of the myths about professional
coaching. As this emerging concept of individual coaching spreads, I hopefully
will be able to debunk the myths and help people achieve a level of success that
they can’t achieve on their own.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Patrick
Donadio - “Helping people achieve success in business and their person
life.”
ã Patrick J.
Donadio, MBA.
Donadio, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a national business coach and
Certified Speaking Professional specializing in business communications and leadership development.
Donadio works with High Level Executives and Business Owners who
want to go to the next level professionally and organizations that want to grow
their people.
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