“Everybody needs a coach. Every famous athlete, every famous performer has somebody who is coach — somebody who can say ‘Is that what you really meant?’ and give them perspective. The one thing people are not really good at is seeing themselves as others see them. A coach really, really helps.” – Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, on needing a business coach.

As a very successful CEO, why would someone like Eric Schmidt suggest that he needs a coach and so do you?  I see executives every day who make incredible strides forward toward their goals with the help of a business coach.  Their work is inspiring, and I am honored to be part of it.  But some of you may still wonder what a coach could do for you and why you should invest in an external coach for yourself.

Top 10 Reasons for Hiring an External Business Coach

Thinking about the key reasons that have power for supporting your success and growth, the Top 10 reasons for hiring an external business coach are:

Personalized Support

Your coach is there for you, your agenda, your goals.  Your business coach cares about your success, as you define it.

Goal Clarity and Focus

Your coach helps you get clarity around your goals, get inspired by them and what they mean for you, and maintain focus in your busy world.

Blind Spot Awareness

Your coach looks for your blind spots and helps you see the impact you have from a new perspective and see new alternatives to move you forward.

Expertise and Experience

Your business coach is a source of ideas, knowledge, tools, cutting-edge thought, and a broad body of experience and perspective that helps you recognize challenges early, and discover new and creative solutions.

Leadership Growth

Your coach helps you grow as a leader by developing your awareness, your thinking, your knowledge base and your vision for what is possible.

Non-Judgmental Confidentiality

Your coach will not judge you for what you say or do.  You can be perfectly honest about your fears, doubts and concerns and your weak moments without repercussion.  You can truly get out your feelings, worries and challenges and address them with your coach in a confidential manner.  Your conversations are private so that you can tackle any situation – even those you don’t feel you can share with anyone else.

Accountability Partner

Your business coach supports you in being accountable for taking action on your biggest priorities.  When you take on a new habit, behavior, style of communicating or other change to your ingrained habits, your coach is your partner for making new habits stick and addressing obstacles as they arise.

Structured Self-Reflection

Your coach provides disciplined self-reflection on what you are doing and where you are going.  You have structured time to take the larger view on your career, your business, your progress toward your big picture goals – and that is what will truly allow you to grow as a leader.

Objective Sounding Board

Your business coach is your objective external sounding board to help you try out new thoughts, behaviors and ideas in a safe environment and giving you feedback on what is moving you forward and what appears to be holding you back.

Progress Measurement and Celebration

Your coach is a witness to your success and encourages the discipline of measuring your progress and celebrating your achievements, and building confidence and accountability for your actions and decsions that move you forward in achieving your goals.

What could you achieve this year with a business coach?

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