It’s not about being better than someone else, it’s about being better than you were the day before.  – Unknown

Some help with the backswing and others help you hit a curveball.  One of mine reminded me constantly to keep my glove on the ground, while another one watches patiently, waiting to see if I keep my elbow straight and head down.  Some famous ones had names like Yogi and “Bear” and Bela, whereas the very best are Pat (Summitt), Vince (Lombardi) and Connie (Mack).

If they are doing their job, they don’t actually do the work that leads to the noticeable success of their players or teams.  They will be by your side, sometimes in the shadows watching you perform.  Yes, we are talking about coaches.

Through observations, questions and a sharp eye (and ear) for making adjustments, coaches help you make the necessary changes you need to improve performance in your profession or area of interest.  Yet to some, getting a coach suggests that you cannot succeed on your own.  That belief couldn’t be further from the truth.  A coach is an investment in your professional journey.  Through the trusting relationship that is built, coaches can guide you to discover new paths to success.

With the discovery of one’s strengths and opportunities, the impact you have on others and the meaning it holds for you; those being coached begin to see their true value.  Without a reflection, your actions are not clearly visible to you; therefore a coach can be your mirror.  What you see may not be at all what you imagined, instead the image you experience could be something you have avoided or were reluctant to seek out.  With a trusted advisor or coach, you can share your concerns, fears and hopes for today and beyond without judgment or critique.  You can be vulnerable without the answers or clear line of sight to the future.  Many key leaders rise to the top of an organization with help and guidance from above, but upon reaching the summit, they are all alone and expected to know the answers, confidently and independently.

“It’s lonely at the top” is a saying I hear in many forms more often than not.  With a coach to help you chart a course, navigate during challenging times, and to lean on when weary or tired, you can discover new strengths and lead your teams with new forms and sources of confidence.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

Post by Scott Kiefer.