If LeBron and Serena have a coach, why don’t you?

LeBron James has won three NBA championships and is a four-time league MVP. Serena Williams is the winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Arguably, James and Williams are among the greatest players ever to play their respective sports. Yet, both of these elite athletes, and all others just like them, have coaches. Aren’t they already proven to be winners at the highest level? By most definitions they personify success. 

So, why do athletes and teams at every level of sport need to have a coach? Six reasons: discipline, focus, goal setting, unlocking potential, accountability and guidance. Individuals often can’t get to great on their own. A coach motivates and pushes you beyond what you ever thought you could be. 

Hmm. Sounds a lot like what we do every day with my “corporate” athletes. A good executive coach helps leaders gain self-awareness, clarify goals, set and achieve development objectives, optimize performance and problem solve by serving as a sounding board. All while holding the leader accountable to a disciplined and focused approach. If you’re not intentional you will never get there.

If you aim to take your leadership to the next level, then you should consider hiring a coach. Let’s unpack the building blocks of what a coach will help you do:

• Gain Self-awareness.  This is the starting point for leadership growth. Self-awareness is foundational to success. Leaders who have an honest understanding of their strengths and weakness, who know what motivates them and what doesn’t or what triggers unproductive behavior are significantly more effective as leaders.
• Clarify goals. Goal setting is the “why” of a leader’s journey, but it must be crystal clear where you’re going and why it’s important. This gives the leader a keen sense of purpose, which in turn inspires action. Progress is only possible through action.
• Set and achieve development objectives. Development objectives, coupled with an action plan, are the road map for the leader’s progress. What specifically is the leader going to do and by when? This is where real growth occurs. Accountability and discipline are key here. 
• Optimize performance.  Performance is the end game for a leader. Potential is merely a promise until it’s unlocked and realized. 
• Problem solve by serving as a sounding board. Leadership can be lonely, yet challenges exist at every turn. Who do you problem solve with? With whom are you truly vulnerable? A coach is a resource, a thought leader, an experienced and impartial advisor providing feedback and insight to help the leader get to breakthrough on an issue or challenge.

Keep in mind that coaching is a partnership. Yes, your coach has to deliver, but so do you.  Timing is important. Coaching is an investment today for your future success as a leader. Make sure you’re ready to make your leadership development a priority. Ask yourself these questions:

Can I make the time to commit to a coaching process?

Is my boss supportive of my initiative for continuous improvement?

Do I have the discipline to do the work … pre-work and homework that my coach provides?

Can I sincerely ask for feedback, truly listen and earnestly take action?

Will I persistently practice new behaviors? 

Being coached takes energy and time. It also takes courage to open yourself up to honest feedback, and humility to really listen and take action. Changing behavior requires practice and a commitment to continuous improvement. As the saying goes, “you will get out of it what you put into it.” LaBron and Serena are known to be two of the hardest working, focused champions out there. Are you? Or, do you aspire to be? Consider letting a coach help you get there.

We are honored to partner with USF Muma College of Business for our next LEADForward Roundtable Tampa Bay cohort starting on April 29th. Apply now!