The Truth About Business Coaching: Industry Experience is Overrated

Are you looking for a business coach and wondering whether industry experience is non-negotiable? In this article, you will learn what really matters when looking for a business coach and the hidden benefits of working with a business coach without your industry experience. 

You may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what truly matters when selecting a business coach for yourself. Maybe you’re feeling worried that the industry experience of your potential coach may be inadequate or, worse: detrimental.

After all, the stakes are high... if you select the wrong coach, it could mean wasted time and resources for your business.

At ActionCOACH, we believe that experience isn't everything. We’ve been helping businesses for over 30 years and, in that time, come to realise one thing:

There are many different aspects to running a successful business, and industry experience alone does not guarantee success. In this article, we will uncover why industry experience is often overrated and dispel some of the myths about what makes a great business coach. So that you can focus on finding the right business coach for your unique needs.

Prefer video content? That's OK, we've created a video covering all this too! 

Why so many people believe industry experience is a necessity for business coaching

How can a coach adequately advise someone if they do not understand the industry?

This is a common question that crops up when business owners are searching for a business coach. There is a common misconception that a coach must have extensive experience in your specific industry in order to be an effective business coach. However, this is not always the case. 

What many people fail to recognise is that there are many more important traits needed to be successful when offering business advice: 

• Empathy
• Listening skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Problem-solving expertise
• Enthusiasm.

Therefore we must challenge this assumption of needing industry experience to provide quality coaching services because, ultimately, it’s the individual characteristics of a person that decide whether they make an excellent business coach for you or not.

The hidden benefits of working with a business coach without industry experience

Some of the best business coaches have no experience in the industries their clients come from; instead, they rely on their training, systems and natural talents to help guide entrepreneurs down the right path.

Working with a business coach who does not have expertise in the same industry as your company can prove to be just as beneficial, if not more so, than hiring one with insider experience. Unexpectedly it can be even easier to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself when presented with an outsider's perspective. 

By reaching out for professional coaching from someone with a different background, you open yourself up to robust insights that could potentially reenergize your business. Additionally, a coach who doesn't understand every detail of how your industry works can help you see the big picture, ask different questions and allow you to take some risks. It may not always be comfortable, but it is worth taking into consideration and could offer insight into the growth potential seen by those who live outside the bubble of your everyday operations.

So, what should you look for if not industry experience?

What to Look for in a Business Coach When Industry Experience is Not Necessary

Although someone with years of experience in your field can provide helpful insight, their expertise may not always anticipate the changes and nuances of running your own business.

A good business coach should be able to quickly diagnose root issues in a business, determine goals that align with their objectives over the long term, and be able to come up with actionable strategies on how to reach those goals. 

The ability to understand your individual circumstances so as to focus on what success looks like for you should also be considered in a potential coach. Your business coach should have strong communication skills and some level of emotional intelligence; being understanding yet maintaining strict professionalism at all times is key. 

Though there may not be specific industry experience, when it comes to coaching, it is important that you trust the instincts and competency of the person you are considering.

Finding the Right Balance with Business Coaching

Experienced coaches who have the ability to think differently and provide unique insights into achieving success are just as beneficial, if not more so, than hiring a coach with insider industry experience. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to grow your business or a leader looking to develop growth strategies, don't underestimate the power of a professional having an outside perspective that could potentially re-energise your business. 

Hopefully, you now understand why hiring a coach with industry experience isn’t always necessary, and you feel confident that a coach without your industry experience will not be detrimental to the success of your coaching sessions. 

If you’ve not already started, now’s the time to start looking for the right coach for your needs. 

Reach out to one of our Action Coaches today!