Do I Require a Business Coach? 8 Ways to Make the Decision

How’s business? Is there room for improvement?

The answer to that question is always yes, so it’s a good sign you would benefit from working with a business coach. However, some specific tell-tale signs reveal a need for help.

As a business owner or executive, you may find yourself asking the same question many have faced before: do I require a business coach? Investing in professional help to improve one’s performance can be daunting and it can be hard to know where to start. It is not an insignificant decision, as selecting the right mentor who will understand both your short-term and long-term goals for success is paramount. To assist you on this journey of exploration, here are 8 practical ways to determine if engaging with a coach would benefit you and how you can make the transition easier.

1. You feel stuck and don’t know what to do next.

Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. It’s easy to get into a routine but not so easy to fight your way out of it. When you have no one to bounce ideas off or help you see the big picture, a business coach is an independent person with fresh eyes who can guide you.

2. You’re overwhelmed and overtired.

Running a business is hard work, but if you’re constantly working, taking work home with you or even dreaming about it at night, you need help. Living in a state of overwhelm is not good for the business or for your health and relationships. Your personal and/or business productivity has probably dropped while you’re feeling paralysed by indecision. Don’t let that situation go on. Finding a business coach will get you moving again quickly.

3. You aren’t comfortable delegating your work.

This is an interesting one. Are you uncomfortable because you don’t trust your team? Do you feel like you’re the only person who will do it properly? Or perhaps you don’t have the right people on your team. Talking to a business coach will help you realise why you’re not comfortable and help you build strategies to deal with it.

4. You’ve lost your objectivity.

Sound business decisions require a clear vision. When you lose your ability to see the business objectively, you lose your business edge. Your decisions become clouded, and your choices might not be the best for long-term business results. A business coach will make you question your assumptions and reflect back to you with a clearer vision of the way your business is really working.

5. You have difficulty explaining your business vision.

Explaining your vision isn’t always easy, but the further it slips out of reach, the less motivation you have to strive for it. If you can’t explain your vision, there is nothing to motivate your team to work for, and your goals won’t make sense to them. This is the recipe for a muddled organisation. Talking to a coach will help you rediscover and clarify your vision, so sharing is exciting.

6. You know what you want to achieve but not how to do it.

A business coach will help you develop strategies and goals to turn your hopes into firm plans. Coaching will also give you the skills and advice you need as you start out on your new action plans.

7. You’re struggling to cope with change.

Change isn’t always sudden and dramatic. Sometimes it sneaks up and affects your future. An agile business is a lasting one. If you find your business strategies no longer align with your vision and your business is losing its relevance, a business coach will help you determine your future direction. Your coach will also help you adapt personally to change, making sure you have the skills to lead your team throughout the volatile period.

8. Your business has boomed, and you feel like you’re struggling to stay relevant within it.

Growth is exciting, and being the leader of a booming business is well worth congratulations. However, it does mean the demands on you now are different to those during the start-up phase. You may have a team of experts working with you now too, so where do you fit in? Are you just a figurehead? Do you still have value? These are the questions a business coach will help you answer, so you know what you really want and how to make it happen.

Whenever you have questions that need answering or clarity on your business situation, you may need the help of a business coach.

Be proactive. Don’t let things slide. Talk to a business coach as soon as you start questioning yourself or your business. A good coach will tell you honestly whether he or she is the solution you need.

If you have questions about business coaching and why it matters, I’d love to hear from you. Leave your question in the comments below, or feel free to contact me.

Book a free call with me, and let’s chat.

Caroline Kennedy, author of Lead Beyond 2030: The Nine Skills You Need to Intensify Your Leadership Impact, is an accomplished former CEO, Award-Winning Executive Coach and global thought leader on business and leadership. She is a highly sought-after mentor and coach to top global executives. A respected keynote speaker and author, Caroline’s methods are neuroscience-based to achieve rapid development and growth.