The best leadership coach you’ll ever have wears your clothes, sits in your office, and eats your food. He (or she, but I’ll use the male pronoun for simplicity’s sake) answers your phone, attends your staff meetings, and sometimes takes your work home – driving your car. He knows what you think of your boss, your staff, and your organization. He knows the kinds of problems you love to solve, and the kinds of problems you try to avoid.
He went to your school. He knows what you had to overcome growing up. He’s quite familiar with your family, your colleagues, and your social circle. He remembers all the songs you do.
He knows more about you than anyone else on the planet.
He can be in your face, but he’ll stay by your side. His enthusiasm for your success is limitless. You are his favorite client – in fact, you are his only client. He’ll meet you for lunch; he’ll be there as you face a difficult challenge.
He is available seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. His fee is highly competitive, because his services are free.
The best leadership coach you’ll ever have asks of you just one thing: trust him. He knows what he’s doing.
Working with your coach can be unsettling. You’ll need to be willing to be quiet. You’ll need to be willing to listen. You’ll need to be honest.
And if you’re not sure how to do those things, he can start with that. It’s almost mind-boggling what the best leadership coach you’ll ever have can do for you.
He might ask you to meditate. Or keep a journal. Or be inspired by nature. Or do a reality check with others. He might ask you to speak up – or shut up. He might urge you to go forward – or take a step back.
Trust him. He knows what he’s doing.
