Extra Points: Put Me in Coach

Common thinking might assume that people who have reached the pinnacle of their success can “figure it out” for the rest of their career based on experience, knowledge, and already highly-developed skills. The truth is that the only way you get to the top (and then keep climbing to a “new” peak) is to be guided, challenged, and held accountable by someone other than your family and friends.

Adele has a singing coach. Jane Fonda just hired an acting coach at 78 years old. Russell Wilson has at least 5 direct coaches. Kobe Bryant used to hire a new coach every summer. For athletes and entertainers, it seems obvious. Why not for every small business owner and entrepreneur?

My instinct tells me the word “coach” is one of the factors. Many business people think “coach” infers that one needs help; that they are somehow not capable of working it out by themselves. Here’s the problem. Without a sounding board; without access to someone else’s smarts; without guidance and accountability; and without new perspective, one can get caught breathing their own exhaust for so long that they metaphorically expire.

The other key factor is coaches are considered a cost or expense, rather than an investment. This is simply short-sighted. If Serena Williams thought that way, she would have never become arguably the greatest female tennis player of all-time. If you think that way, you’ll simply never reach your potential. And the saddest part – you’ll never know what it was.

Everyone needs a coach, no matter what you call him or her. The top 10% of business professionals on the planet have one. Are you one of those? If not, it’s time to get in the game for the sake of your business and best future self.

Quote of the Week:

“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.”
~ James Thurber