The following parable, or myth, is one in a series of twelve, which we’ve identified at Pathos Leadership Group that accounts for executive coaching to fail!  Our results-focused executive coaching is contrary to these parables, leaving executives and their organizations in a position to succeed when it comes to organization development, operational improvement, and financial success!  For more information on our Executive Coaching or Organization Development initiatives contact us at info@pathosleadershipgroup.com or call 877.455.3133.

Executive Coaching Parable 8 – They Won’t Understand!

John was a successful small business owner.  He left behind a great position with a Fortune 500 company to start off on his own five years ago because he wanted to “call the shots” all by himself.  This strategy, and his unparalleled level of service made him a favorite with his clients.  However, the highs/lows in business typically caused John’s head to explode!  The people that he employed were great, but he wanted a “confidant” who he could explain his business situations to and have them provide guidance/coaching towards.  In putting back together his exploded head, John set out on a path to hire the best coach possible.  He was a “quick trigger puller” who once he found something, or someone, he liked would take action.  However John’s search for an executive coach was stymied by his belief that he had to have someone with an exactly similar background to assist him.  This “walk in my shoes” philosophy lead John to turn down many successful coaches who wanted to work with him.  When we met John, we inquired as to how long he’d been search for and how many executive coaches he had interviewed.  John was approaching the five (5) month mark in his search.  When we asked what the number one aspect of the coaches he interviewed thus far that was holding him back from moving forward, he simply replied “The coaches I met with were very qualified people, but my situation is unique.  They won’t understand!”

The parable above indicates John’s sincere desire to work with an executive coach, but his delusional thought that they wouldn’t understand because they hadn’t gone through the exact same situations that he had.  While it might be a “perfect storm” situation for John to identify/locate a coach who had the exact same background as him, he was leaving many a talented coach who could have assisted him in the dust.  Furthermore, that all too important aspect of business (Time is money!) was being wasted.  He would never get those five (5) months back.  Furthermore, his business could be miles further down the road if he had just chosen the most successful.

Often times in business, and this is typical of those who have achieved results, we want to put together the best possible scenario.  We will take the time to identify what is truly important to satisfy the situation at hand.  We’ll analyze from umpteen different perspectives, get feedback from people we know inside, and sometimes external, to the organization, research on the net (Drink the “Google-juice”), and delay making a decision.  This “analysis paralysis” causes the leader to become the lagger and make no decision.

When selecting an executive coach you want to identify the most qualified person who you believe can deliver the results you’re attempting to accomplish.  While you should do your due diligence during the selection process to identify this “best fit” executive coach, you may be doing yourself a disservice by being to nit-picky.  Identifying someone who has the same exact experience will provide you with a consultative approach to your situation (They’ve “been there, done that!”), however you may gain much more value from someone with business savvy who can ask you the right questions to make you think/act differently.  Furthermore, because they have a different background, they can provide you with a totally different perspective from which to solve your situation.

The Moral of the Story: Picking the “same” or “sure thing” rarely allows one to replicate results exactly.  Differing situations, styles, and times lead to different results.  Selecting a coach with a different background may propel you further and help you accomplish your goals faster.