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Posted: 2005-05-01 / Author: Ken Gosnell Why Small Business Owners Need A CoachCoaching is a new wave that is hitting the shore of businesses and organizations everywhere. Just as counseling in the 1980’s, now coaching is moving into the mainstream. The Harvard Business review in their November 2004 issue noted that coaching is now a one billion dollar business in the United States alone. Businesses and business leaders have recognized the need for coaching in their organizations and entrepreneurs would be wise to follow suit.Coaching is unique and different from counseling. Coaching is about taking control of your life, about being goal-directed and action-oriented and about deepening your knowledge of yourself. It allows the person being coached to dream big and then believe that their dream can become a reality. Coaching allows a person to focus on moving forward and gives the person the courage to face their fears and step out of their comfort zone. It is also about taking a hard, honest look at that which is and isn't working in their life. Entrepreneurs, specifically, need a coach. There is no other group of leaders that so greatly needs strong skills and people to be self aware of their potential pitfalls. Good entrepreneurs lead good businesses and great entrepreneurs lead great businesses. Coaching can help good entrepreneurs become great entrepreneurs. 1. Entrepreneurs need coaching because they are often left isolated and alone. In start ups the stakes are high and entrepreneurs are often left alone to navigate the winds of change and conflict in their companies. Coaches can partner with entrepreneurs to help them to have a broader view of their business. Coaches can identify the reality of various situations and be non-attached to the emotions of the moment. 2. Entrepreneurs need coaching because they are often trapped in the pointless forest. One great benefit of coaching is moving past the pointless activities that will not lead to the accomplishment of the desired goal. In start ups, the entrepreneurs are often swayed by opinions and expectations of their families and friends as to what should and shouldn’t be done. Although the entrepreneur must be sensitive to these expectations, they should also be shrewd enough to identify those pointless activities they do not benefit their business or the development of themselves. When these activities are blurred, it is of great benefit to call on a coach who can help to see the difference between the pointless and the powerful activities that should be accomplished. 3. Entrepreneurs need coaching because they must practice accountability. The number one task of a coach is to keep the people they coach accountable to reach certain goals and objectives. This is true in the sporting world and needs to be true in the small business world as well. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for an entrepreneur to be accountable because they work alone. A coach provides a safe haven for the entrepreneur to express areas that are stopping them from achieving significance. The coach provides accountability. 4. Entrepreneurs need coaching because soon they will soon be called on to coach their people. Just as the counseling boom took off through the 1980’s and 1990’s, so too the coaching wave will continue to splash into businesses in the coming years. Business leaders are receiving coaching now. Many of the most respected and admired corporations throughout the United States are spending major dollars in the area of coaching for their managers. Entrepreneurs must now equip themselves to be good coaches. What better way of doing this than by first being coached themselves? 5. Entrepreneurs need coaching because they must model continual growth and development. Dr. Alan Nelson says, “Coaching is more about developing a person than it is about fixing a specific problem.” Coaching creates a powerful alliance between the coach and client. The relationship is designed to enhance and forward the lifelong process of human learning, effectiveness and fulfillment. We have been taught that leaders are learners. Coaching perhaps helps the person being coached learn the most important thing – they learn about themselves. They learn what is working and what is not working in their lives. Then, they learn how to change. In the December/January issue of Fortune Small Business Lance Armstrong is quoted talking about his coach as saying, "Chris Carmichael has been my coach, my trainer, and my friend for more than a decade. I would not be a Tour de France champion without him." The point is clear, even champions need coaches. Or, even further, a person will never become a champion without a coach. The small business world needs champions. ------------------- Ken Gosnell in the CEO of KenSalt Coaching in the DC Metro area. He presents seminars and workshops for small businesses on “Becoming a Generational Business and a variety of other leadership topics.” You can contact him at kenpeaks@yahoo.com or check out his website at www.kensaltcoaching.com Top of page | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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