Who had the most influence in shaping who you are today? There’s probably more than one person once you start thinking about it. Someone who has contributed to your achievement. And they probably supported you in different ways and times throughout your life. Role models, mentors and coaches. Is it still meaningful (or even more meaningful) for you to have someone holding you accountable who sees your potential and supports you to reach your goals?

How Role Models Change Through Your Years

Our first role models are usually family members – parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles. Some may have shown appreciation and encouragement for us while some may have shown certain qualities to look up to like confidence, perseverance or honesty.

The next people to emulate in our lives, were teachers or coaches who taught us life lessons, educated us, and cheered us on to go farther.  Those people helped shape you and perhaps kept you on a certain path.  And every day, you are thankful they were in your life and at just the right time.

After that in your professional life you may have had an official mentor, boss/supervisor or friend who has spurred you on. Who do you go to now?

What A Coach Looks Like Now

A coach you would have after 8 years or more of career knowledge is likely to be someone different than who you’ve turned to before. You are at a different stage. Now, it may be someone who can appreciate where you’ve been, where you are now, and knows how to ask the questions so you can figure out where you want to go and how you can get there. Other qualities besides asking good questions are a good listener, someone you can speak openly with and trust, and may have expertise in a particular area that you want.

Here’s my own experience.  A pivotal point in my life was in trying to develop this leadership consulting business. Intellectually having a plan, a brand, and a network of contacts, all this I had, yet beyond that I also had a number of blind spots. While I had two mentors coming from completely different perspectives – one male, one female, one diverse, one foreign born, both were in HR and had never been responsible for growing their own business. In my gut I was aware there were many things I didn’t know, yet I wasn’t sure which of those things were most relevant to me and my business. Stepping into a new specialty which needed different skills, I weighed a number of times in my mind – “should I hire a coach? Could I afford not to (particularly wanting to be a catalyst for others to reach their potential)”?

While I was weighing the pros and cons as the analyst that I am, I remembered a story. Through the years, one of my wisest and most humble business colleagues in Human Resources also a former co-committee head and client, often worked with coaches and I had asked him why. He told me that he wouldn’t be where he was today, if he didn’t have someone to introduce him to what he needed to learn that he wasn’t aware of, inspire him and keep him honest with himself.

To his story and how it resonated with me, I said “yes”. I hired a coach and have not regretted the decision for one minute. Because working with her has only made me better at what I do and can do.  Also, fundamentally, if I’m not willing to look at myself, I can’t ask any of my clients to do the same.

When Is It Right For You

They say perfect timing is everything. And you will feel the pull for something when it is most necessary. Along with that, if you are not certain, allow these questions to aid you. How are you spending your energy? Is the energy you’re using allowing you to progress to where you want to go?

If you are thoughtful about the answers to these questions, the answer about your right timing will be more clear. It may be now. Only you can know.

 

The world right now needs more leaders and the right leaders.

If you are in a position to support others or you are called to bring forth good change, encouragement, and growth – you want full access to your potential. Choose yourself first so that you may impact others to use their full capability.

If you would like to have a conversation on how you can do this, contact me: Susan@SusanGoldbergLeadership.com

We can grow together. Coaching is a give and receive process, which I recognize and appreciate with the Millennial generation.