When do you Need a Coach?
When do you need a coach?
The easy answer is anytime you want to be more effective at what you’re doing. This became clear to me last weekend. Our grown son has been spending time with us recovering from back surgery. He’s an avid and accomplished golfer whose game has been seriously restricted due to back pain, which we hope the surgery has addressed. So, in his recovery, he is finding an outlet for his true passion, however, by getting out on the course with his Dad and I to, you guessed it, coach.
Ben and I have played golf since I introduced him to the game at age 8. I knew he’d overtake my own capability one day, and that happened during his sophomore year of high school. Since then, I’ve learned to rely on him to help me read putts and confirm club selection. A couple of years ago, however, when we were playing together, he very lovingly suggested, “Mom, you really have to learn to play your own game.” And so, I did. For the last two years I’ve very ably selected clubs and read putts and have enjoyed the game without my favorite side kick. But this winter, as he joined us in Arizona to recover, he was back on the course with me. My coach was back, I realized!
His work with my game, however, evolved from true caddy, suggesting every club for every shot, to amazing coach. “Mom, what club did you pull?” “How do you plan to play this approach?” I heard him say, letting me play my game, while asking great questions to help me gain clarity on the shot. It’s been a fun and satisfying new relationship for both of us.
I’ve also recently taken up cake baking. Inspired by The Great British Baking Show, I, like millions across the world, said, “I can do that.” Thank goodness for my good friend Jenny Jefferds, who inspired me. A highly experienced cake baker, she provided starter websites for recipes, and tips for getting the little brown flecks out the white frosting from the vanilla (a micro-dot of purple food coloring!) After my first effort, she provided suggestions for next time. When I showed her my second cake, she volunteered to get on a zoom call next time while I’m assembling my next cake, to ensure it didn’t lean to one side. In short, Jenny had become my cake-baking coach!
Our coaches sometimes come to us naturally, sometimes we deliberately seek them out. They often possess deep expertise, but outstanding coaches encourage, engage, and support. They don’t take over and instruct. What are you hoping to improve? What specifically, do you want to improve? Who in your network can support and encourage you in your professional growth?
Looking for more inspiration? Check out my book: www.inthelead.co/books