How to Get the Most Out of Business Coaching

A skilled business coach helps you pinpoint challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. Though great, you only receive these benefits if you know how to use a business coach. 

That does sound a little weird, but it’s true. You need to take very specific action before, during, and after your sessions to get the most out of business coaching. 

Preparation and Mindset

Being prepared mentally and physically is a must to ensure you get the most out of each business coaching session. 

Choose the Right Coach

Business coaches come in many shapes and forms. They may specialise in leadership skills, boosting sales, or helping you achieve a better work-life balance. Some also have the knowledge to assist with all of the above. 

When you assess your options, pick someone whose experience aligns with your objectives. A coach with relevant know-how in your industry can make more of an impact by offering advice tailored to your specific challenges.

According to research,  the main reasons business owners ask their mentor for help consist of start-up assistance (53%), growth/business expansion (59%), and human resource issues (61%), which is a real mix, so really think about who you want as a coach. 

Once you’ve found someone, evaluate their credentials and track record. If possible, get in touch with previous clients and ask for their opinions - 85% of people say this is the best way to find referrals. If you don’t know anybody, you can also read testimonials.

Finally, schedule a discovery call to gauge their compatibility. What looks good on paper might not be suitable for you. See if you like the coach’s communication style and if they inspire trust. 

Set Clear Goals

You can’t get the most out of business coaching if you don’t know what you want to achieve. 

Setting goals provides a sound foundation for the relationship and ensures that you and your coach are on the same page.

Besides creating a vision of what you want to accomplish long-term, goals help you measure progress. Without benchmarks, the coaching process can feel scattered and frustrating. 

Hitting certain milestones along the way, meanwhile, confirms the effectiveness of coaching. It motivates you to take further action.

To do this, start by reflecting on your business strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Then, use the SMART framework to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Be Open-Minded

While preparation plays an essential role when gearing up for business coaching, mindset is equally important. Going into your sessions with an open mind allows you to welcome strategies you might not have considered. 

A good business coach doesn’t tell you solely what you want to hear. They challenge your assumptions and help you see obstacles in a new light. If you’re not willing to entertain their advice, you won’t get your money’s worth. 

While you know your business best, many people get stuck in their own ways. It’s probably why you reached out to a business coach in the first place. A new perspective might help you reframe problems and unlock the road to progress.  

For that to happen, be receptive to learning and approach feedback with curiosity. Changing for the better will involve stepping outside your comfort zone. 

During Coaching Sessions

Coaching sessions are where the magic happens. Whether you opt for one-on-one or group coaching, being present and alert is non-negotiable.

Be Honest and Transparent

A proficient coach will create a safe environment where you can be transparent about your concerns and setbacks. 

By being honest, you allow your coach to identify root issues and recommend tailored solutions. As you never know, holding back information might mean getting bad advice.

Think of your sessions as collaborative affairs where you and your coach brainstorm ideas to fix problems. If you’re not authentic, they can’t guide you effectively.

To get the most out of coaching, share both successes and failures. Speak up if your coach's strategies don’t align with what you want, ask for advice on certain ideas, and just be an open book. 

Become an Active Participant

Individuals who want to take full advantage of their coaching sessions should engage with the process. That means preparing specific topics you want to address and asking questions when something isn’t clear.

Passive listening only gets you so far. Remember that you’re there to grow. You might as well commit to making the sessions as productive as possible. Share insights and reflect on any advice you receive. 

On top of making the experience more exciting, being an active participant promotes innovation. By talking through ideas and action steps, you can come up with solutions you might have otherwise been overlooked.

Take Notes

Being active is only half the battle. Studies dating back to the 1970s consistently show that taking and reviewing notes helps with retention. 

By using a notebook or digital tool to keep track of discussions, you’re more likely to remember the main points. You also end up with a record of each session you can review anytime you want to refresh your memory. 

Post-Session Actions

The work doesn’t end when the business coaching session is over. If you want to see progress, you need to do your homework. 

Follow Through on Commitments

You and your coach will come up with potential solutions to current problems. If you fail to follow through, those solutions remain theoretical. 

Completing any assigned tasks or action items is vital to building momentum and staying on track. It also lets you address obstacles in real time so you can make the most out of each coaching session.  

Implement Learnings

Theory comes in handy, but practice makes perfect. Implementing what you learn during your sessions converts knowledge into results. It gives you measurable outcomes from each session, motivating you to stay the course. 

Depending on your goals, implementation can mean anything from setting better KPIs for your team to trying a new conflict management technique. You can’t determine if your coach’s advice is effective without trying it out and evaluating the results.   

Track Progress

Speaking of results, tracking your progress is a surefire way to judge whether the coaching is driving change. Positive outcomes highlight the value of staying involved in the process and give you the confidence to aim even higher.

The data you collect will also be useful when deciding which tactics pay off the most. For example, if you notice that sales improve after a certain action, you can make more informed decisions in the future.

Common Problems That Stop You From Getting the Most Out of Coaching

While coaching is a valuable business tool, people sometimes struggle to capitalise on their sessions. Thankfully, common problems can be easily fixed. 

You Don’t Trust the Coach

If you don’t trust your business coach, you won’t feel comfortable sharing your challenges. You might also be sceptical of implementing any advice they provide. 

Research the coach, express doubts out loud, and give the relationship a little time to develop. Trust doesn’t happen overnight. 

You Don’t Have Time to Commit

When you’re juggling multiple responsibilities, finding time to fully devote yourself to your sessions can feel impossible. If you count the fact that you also have to implement the advice, the entire endeavour may start to seem like more trouble than it’s worth. 

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to put your entire life on pause to get the most out of coaching. Try cutting back on less important commitments or delegating tasks. 

Then, block time for your sessions and treat them as a priority. You absorb the information more easily when you’re engaged.  

You Expect Too Much from Coaching

Coaching is a great way to grow your business. Even so, it can’t work wonders. By expecting quick results, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Understand that progress takes time, so arm yourself with a bit of patience. 

Additionally, understand that the coach won’t do the heavy lifting for you. They provide guidance, but you still need to put in the effort to implement the knowledge you gain.

Is Business Coaching Right for Me?

There are times when investing in coaching isn’t advisable. If you don’t have a vision for your business yet or aren’t concerned with growth, you might be better off staying the course.  

Otherwise, business coaching is a proven way to revitalise your career. Research shows that 80% of clients report a boost in self-esteem, while 51% of companies that invest in coaching have higher revenue than their competitors. 

Therefore, whether you want to fuel personal growth or identify weak areas in your business, a coach can point you in the right direction. 

Speak with a Business Coach Today

Contact us to learn more about how our coaching services can help you reach your full potential. As long as you’re ready to show commitment, our advisors will provide guidance every step of the way.

Book a free discovery call to see how a business can transform your life and your business.