6 Reasons Why You Won’t Get Results Working With A Career Coach
For almost everyone in a profession their career presents a brilliant opportunity. At the same time not everyone with the appropriate professional qualifications will achieve the results they want.
People sometimes look to work with a career coach at some point. I did at a key stage in my career and since that point have worked with many people, particularly professionals to help them achieve more of what they want from their career.
Now many coaches will tell you that working with a coach or mentor is really the right road to success. It certainly won’t harm your chances. On the other hand there are several reasons why you won’t get results working with a career coach.
Reason 1: You Lack Commitment
Your salary is more than likely your major source of income. In view of this you would think that you would not find it a problem to be committed. The reality is very different. So often people say they are committed when they are not. Alternatively they start of at a sprint and grind to a halt.
Reason 2: You Want A Quick Fix
Sometimes people think that when they invest the results will be instant. Now I have worked with clients who have got a result fast. Usually this is where there is a sense of urgency which means they give outstanding effort to move fast. Most don’t want to think in terms of several months even though this is the reality.
Reason 3: You Already Know It All
If something you are doing is not working you have to acknowledge this. It can be hard to do. It is easy to be in the mindset of I already know all of this. Yet when you probe you understand things at a surface level.
Reason 4: You Don’t Deliver The Work Between Sessions
The time with your coach is invaluable. At the same time you have to realise that a lot of the work that makes those sessions valuable is what you do between sessions. You have to be willing to do the work to get the benefit.
Reason 5: You Think Cost Not Investment
Working one to one with a career coach is not cheap. You are getting personal attention and 100% focus on you and what you want to achieve. Yet many quibble and haggle over cost when the potential time to get payback on your investment is minimal. When you make a job move you are likely to increase your salary by 10 to 15%. What level of investment would it be worth to get that level of return?
Reason 6: You Confuse Job With Career
I like all career coaches help people with their CV and interview preparation. This is what I would call job coaching directed to helping them get their next role. This should be the start rather than the end of the coaching relationship. People who want to maximise their career success realise they need a plan, need to work on their development and take a holistic approach.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants achieve more career success. Learn more here.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.