Why pay for coaching?

I was walking with my son recently when he asked:

“Why would anyone pay for business coaching?”

This is a great question, especially for a 19 year old: why would you spend hard earned cash on hiring in a coach, especially when times are tight?

Here are some reasons why I employ a coach (and why you may want to as well):

1. Focus- My coach helps me focus on my long term goals, rather than the things that seem urgent but accomplish little in the long run. Meaning that I am more likely to achieve my goals.

2. Individual- My coach listens to me and asks good questions that help me progress in a way that works for me, rather than providing generic advice that may or may not work, depending on my personality or circumstances.

3. Investment- I choose to invest well now in money, time and energy for a better future for me and my family. As I invest in coaching now, I am choosing to invest in greater job satisfaction, a greater chance of success and financial rewards. This means investing in coaching saves me & my company money in the long term.

4. Action- My coach helps me identify short term actions that help me take steps towards my long term goal. Then, they ask how I have done with actions I decided on from the last session. This keeps me accountable, even when I don’t feel like it.

5. Growth- Growth is uncomfortable and I tend toward trying to make life as comfortable as possible. My coach helps me work and improve, and even though it is uncomfortable. I want to improve my business and coaching, so why wouldn’t I have a coach?

So why pay for coaching?

Because I can do so much better and achieve so much more if I have a coach.

My business will do better, I will have better finances and it is absolutely worth the investment.

What about you? Have you found other benefits of coaching?

Would you like a coach to help you in any of these areas?

Contact vicki@coventryvineyard.org.uk for coaching or more information

Conflict

When have you dreaded seeing another employee?

In a time of more working at home we have less interaction with those on our team, which can be a massive relief for some, especially if they have ‘difficult’ people on their team.

So what do you do when you know a relationship with someone has soured, or if you think it could become difficult?

Often we can avoid the situation. Try and keep away from the person, only to have that sinking feeling in our stomachs as we turn the corner and see them there.

Some of us are more likely to confront the situation, demanding to know what is wrong and creating a difficult feeling for those around us.

These can blow up the situation even further, dividing the workplace into two distinct groups and making people uncomfortable around either of you.

But what if there is a better way?

I have coached many leaders in this situation where they have despaired of a positive outcome.

As they explained the problem and causes, I helped them outline what could be a ‘win’ for another meeting with their colleague. This helps them prepare for the meeting and start to intentionally work toward a better future. Often this can dramatically improve the working relationship and lead to improved productivity for both parties.

Who can you talk to about that difficult work colleague and start to plan for your better future at work?

How engaged are your employees?

In August 2021 only 8% of UK employees were fully engaged at work, with that number getting lower.

This reduces revenue, job satisfaction and customer satisfaction and increases stress for others trying to cover for them.

Line managers are often inadequately prepared to help employees reach their potential and lack the skills to listen, challenge and ask good questions that will engage those they work with.

I provide a coaching skills course to help managers and line managers increase engagement by learning how to ask good questions, listen well and bring change by setting clear goals and action plans.

To find out more about this, team or individual coaching contact vicki@multiplycoaching.com

Generosity

Once I was in a restaurant.

I noticed a lady on another table who was wearing a lovely crochet top, and I commented on it, saying how I thought it really suited her.

We chatted for a couple more minutes, then this lovely, generous person, who I had only met a few minutes ago, completely surprised me:

“I have another top like this upstairs- I would like you to have it, it would suit you too.”

This lady had no obligation to me, I had not asked for a top, just said how much I thought it suited her. I have never met her since and probably never will, but what a way to live!

There is a generosity of the soul in her that would make her free in a way that no amount of money would ever do on its own.

I would have loved to spend more time with this lady- find out what motivates her, hear her story and learn from her. 

Instead I get to learn from this little act of generosity and try and pay it forward to others, in words, gifts and deeds.

“How do you fight greed, except with generosity?… You can only give a man your coat if you have an abundance mentality.” Erwin Raphael McManus

Do I have an abundance mentality? Do I grasp on to what I have, or like the lady, share openly and without expectation of anything back?

So how about you?

• What is your main take-away from this story?

• In what ways can you show generosity to others today?