Coaching is not only popular, but also a very effective tool for personal development. However, it is not an aid that is suitable for everyone. How can you know if it is right for you? According to J.T. O'Donnell, coach and founder of CAREEREALISM.com, people who can't benefit from coaching have one thing in common: they aren't actually looking for help, but for a validation of something they think about themselves. In her article on the social network LinkedIn, O'Donnell describes two typical situations that clearly show when a manager is not ready for coaching.
1. Confirm that I have done everything correctly
The main role in this situation is played by a manager who has a very good career, but something happened to him that he saw as unfair (he was not promoted, he didn't get bigger rewards, etc.). He says he is open to coaching, but in fact he wants the coach to confirm that he has done nothing wrong. He does not realize that doing everything right is not enough. The career world is changing every day and we must be able to adapt to change. Only a manager open to change is a good candidate for coaching.
2. Confirm that I am a victim
In a second typical situation, a manager feels that his career is just the sum of failures out of his control. Often, he also thinks that his colleagues and superiors are abusing his vulnerability to their own career advantage. He is simply unrecognized. When he starts working with a coach, he wants to hear that he is a victim of adverse circumstances. He does not realize that everyone is responsible for his or her own actions, successes and failures. Only when he is ready to accept change, will he be ready for coaching.
O'Donnell summarizes that coaching is an ideal development tool for managers who can see their career as a never-ending journey - who don't try to avoid criticism at all costs and who don't want others to solve their problems.
-kk-