OK, so I need to start off apologizing to all the coaches out there who are desperately trying to persuade you that their coaching is the be all and end all. That you have to get a coach to enjoy true happiness and achieve success.
I’m sorry, but there really are good reasons that people do not need coaching.
Here’s the top 10 I hear from clients, in reverse order and coming in at number 10, but still a biggie:
4. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
4 | P a g e
OK, so I need to start off apologizing to all the coaches out there who are
desperately trying to persuade you that their coaching is the be all and end all. That
you have to get a coach to enjoy true happiness and achieve success.
I’m sorry, but there really are good reasons that people do not need
coaching.
Here’s the top 10 I hear from clients, in reverse order and coming in at number 10,
but still a biggie:
#10 - It's too expensive
I know, I too was a little shocked that this
wasn't further up the list.
An average coaching engagement costs
around $100-250 an hour, and most
coaches want you to buy at least an hour a
week. A good coach will cost you $400-
900 and up per hour, and the guru
coaches, a lot more. A coach for a senior
leader in an organizationwill charge
upwards of $15,000a year for their
services, and that's probably by telephone.
So, coaching, even a 'cheap' coach, can
become expensive.
In fact, if the hourly rate is really low (I know of some coaches who charge less than $50
an hour), you want to be even more careful.
Hiring a decent coach, with qualifications (important but not always essential) and
experience (vital) will cost money and a fair amount at that. Takingon a coach often
means that you will need to cut back in other areas of your expenditure. Perhaps that's
delaying the purchase of a new car. Or taking your vacation a little closer to home this
year. Not buying a couple of new outfits. Takinga sandwichfrom home each day instead
of buying one of those delicious lunch baguettes at your favourite coffee shop. And who
wants to do that?
How will you know that you are getting good value?
Splurging on yourself is a hard-earned reward,and you shouldn't be compromising your
lifestyle to enjoy a better future. Live now, pay later is a motto to live by. But the
Good coaching is expensive. Make
sure you get a Return on your
Investment
6. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
6 | P a g e
Read this chapter and find out if something other than coachingmight be better for you.
On the other hand, if it’s not that coaching is for the good people, rather for those
that are weak… there’s the #8 reason…
#8 – I’m good enough (aka, I don’t
have performance problems)
Coaching in many organizations is for people who have
problems. A coach is often called in to help ‘fix’ the person in
some way.
And if you don’t have problems, why on earth would you
need a coach?
You've been doing your job for years and get things done.
Your boss has no complaints. Your performance review is
glowing. In fact,you are one of the better managers in the
company.
Are you sure about that?
Change is the only constant. And what got you where you are today, won’t get you where
you want to go tomorrow.
Competition is fierce, and there is no such thing as a 'permanent' job.
Read this chapter and find out if you are motivated to change.
But if you should be considering coaching, shouldn't your company be paying for it?
Coaching is often
best to help good
people become
better
8. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
8 | P a g e
#6 – My boss is the one who needs coaching
You know that you could do a much better job than your boss. As a leader, they are pretty
ineffective and really do need coaching.
The thing is, it’s not actually your job to “fix” your leader. I mean, how many times have
you tried already? Frustrating yes?
So, don’t try to “fix” your leader. Your job is to add value to them. Take some of their
burdens, add to their strengths and after a while, they’ll allowyou to compensate for
their weaknesses.
Or do you need to add value to your boss?
I hear this a lot. Almost every workshop I run and many of my prospective clients quickly
tell me "my boss should be doing this".
It's probably true.
Two things you can do then:
1. Share this action guide and special report with them and let them decide for
themselves.
2. Read this chapter on building rapport - it's written to help you build rapport with
your coach, but it works on building rapport with anyone.
If the leader won’t change. Change your attitude or your work address. But perhaps
you can’t…
10. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
10 | P a g e
#4 - I don’t like to talk about it
I’ve always been somewhat shy (I know it shocks people, but I am… inside). Being shy,
and a little withdrawn as a kid I hated talking aboutsome real problems with my parents
or teachers or anyone.
I was always a little concerned about what they would think about me if I told them what
was really going on… inside of me.
Maybe it’s just me, but there are times when I find it very difficult to talk aboutwhat’s
going on in my head. It feels as though I’m opening myself up to criticism. And God
forbid that they discover that I’m not perfect.
So yes, talking about some things is tough. But when your coach cares about you, they
don’t judge.
But surely coaching will dig into those psychological issues you secretly suspect may be
lurking deep down inside? At times, my clients have felt like I was the Doc in a white coat
probing into their minds. On occasion, it’s a little like being on the therapist's couch. It
can be uncomfortable to open up. Yet you know that when you do, there’s a flood of
relief.
Perhaps something else would be better for you...
I understand.
Talking about some things is difficult. Especially with a stranger.
But perhaps you should better understand the role of a coach and the roles of others who
could be helping you.
Oh, and by the way. All those crazy thoughts and feelings you’re concerned about. We all
have them. Just thought that you should know.
Which brings us neatly to number 3.
12. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
12 | P a g e
#2 - If people know I'm being coached, they'll think
I'm weak
My Uncle Alan was a stern ex-army Captain. A disciplinarian and no-holds-barred type
of man. He loved me deeply and gave me some of the best advice ever and set me free.
He told me "Most people don't care about what you're gettingup to, what you're
thinking". "You know why?" he asked me. I shook my dumb young head. "Because whilst
you're thinking about what they are thinking about you. They are spending their entire
time thinking about what you are thinking aboutthem." Yeah. You might need to re-read
that a few times. Uncle Alan continued "But the people who do care about you. The
people who love you. Well, they do care what's going on inside. Not to judge but to help if
they can." So, for those people that per-chance do care about you sufficiently to think
about you at all, they won't be thinking that you're weak. They'll be admiring you for
being braver than them. But then, if your boss sponsors your coaching, won'tthat
suggest that your boss thinks you're weak? It might. But then it also might suggest that
your boss thinks that you're great and could be even better. And finally, to the number
one reason you do not need coaching... time.Tall Poppy Syndrome and the Story of the
Madras Crab."
Tall Poppy Syndrome and the Story of the Madras Crab
In part, you're wrong.
Very very few people are thinking about you. Exceptto be thinking about what you think
about them.
However, there are people whose mission in life seems to be to pull others down. To stop
you, by fear and other tactics, to prevent you from "over-reaching". And God forbid that
you do better than them.
Best advice is to ignore them.
But read this chapter on "Tall Poppy Syndrome".
14. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
14 | P a g e
Personal change and development take time. Your brain can and does re-wire. New
habits can be formed. Beliefs that limit you take time to be overcome.
There are no silver bullets, no quick and easy solutions. It will not happen overnight.
How busy do you need to be before you realise you need to change?
Yes, you are.
And you will continue to be busy.
In fact, as you become more successful, you'll get even busier.
So check whether you really need a coach in Chapter 1.
Consider your objectives for developing yourself.
Establish clear metrics and work out if your time is going to give you a Return on
Investment.
You still here?
So either the above reasons haven’t put you off coaching, or none of these has sent you
scurrying off to another website already or maybe you’re waiting for the sales pitch?
OK. No pitch. If you want coaching andyou want to talk to me about it, you’ll do so
anyway.
But maybe you still aren't sure.
Well, I did write a book to help you. But you don’t even have to buy the book (you are
very welcome to of course, and you can find it here and I'd appreciate it if you did).
I am offering you a gift to access the first part of my book for free. Part One is all about
helping you make a good decision about coachingand who to work with of you do.
And all you have to do is follow the links under each of the reasons.
But, may I recommend that you start here?
16. What makes you think that coaching is the answer?
16 | P a g e
celsim.com
Corporate Edge Asia Pte. Ltd. 10 Anson Road, #26-04, Singapore 079903
Tel: 65 6659 9887|Email john.kenworthy@celsim.com
Facebook|Twitter: drjohnkenworthy
If you find anything that bugs you, please click on the
bug above to send me an email. Nothing is too small or
too big. And if I can, I’ll be sure to fix it. Email me at:
john.kenworthy@celsim.com