Every ‘boss’ is "on the stage" the majority of his or her work life but needs pre-performance quiet and confidential time to be creative, bounce their ideas off someone in a safe environment, and explore the unintended consequences of their future actions.
Engaging in a personal coaching conversation is a refreshing opportunity where the ‘boss’ can be completely open and creative in a confidential and safe place.
When asked what was the best advice he ever received, Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google, recognised it was from John Doerr, who in 2001 said, "My advice to you is to have a coach." Schmidt initially resented the advice, because after all, he was a CEO. He was pretty experienced. Why would he need a coach?
CEO Schmidt asked himself, "Am I doing something wrong?" His argument was, "How could a coach advise me if I'm the best person in the world at this? But that's not what a coach does.
The coach doesn't have to play the sport as well as I do. They have to watch you and get you to be your best.
In the business context a coach is not a repetitious coach.
A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in [his] words, and discusses how to approach the problem."
Schmidt said, "Once I realised I could trust him and that he could help me with perspective, I decided this was a great idea.
When there is [a] business conflict you tend to get rat-holed into it. [The coach's] general advice has been to rise one step higher, above the person on the other side of the table, and to take the long view. He'll say, 'You're letting it bother you. Don't.'
When a person faces a challenge and becomes stuck, he or she may seek the services of a business or executive coach. Once this commitment is made, the person begins to experience a different, more hopeful world as his or her perceptions evolve in meeting the personal challenge.
Professional coaches understand that the success of a coaching engagement depends on the willingness of the person-being-coached to commit to his or her personal development process.
With thanks to Coac2Coach newsletter, July 21, 2009.