An Invitation to Hire a Performance Coach

by Rose M. Beane, Ph.D.

Are you at an impasse? Do you want to move ahead but can’t find a way forward? Alan Fine (2010) in his book, “You Already Know how to Be Great” said in his coaching invitation, “As you will discover, this book is less about gaining new knowledge and more about getting rid of what’s keeping you from using the knowledge you already have. It’s less about doing new things and more about understanding and giving language and order to some of the great things you already do, so you can do those things consistently and with better results.”Brendon Burchand (2014) in his book “The Motivation Manifesto” declared, “There comes a time in the lives of those destined for greatness when we must stand before the mirror of meaning and ask: Why, having been endowed with the courageous heart of a lion, do we live as mice?”

Did you know, that the power to improve your performance resides within you? As an adult learner --- you are intrinsically motivated, you are self-directed, you have a reservoir of experience, you are problem-centered, and you are solution-focused. Whatever the situation, circumstance or issue is that you need to jump start, it is doable. Evidence-based performance analyst tell us that a majority of people when faced with the scenario, “if my life (job) depends on it” can and will perform which means there is no deficiency of knowledge (skill, capability) only a deficiency of execution (taking the action). The mark of a leader --- is to know when and whom to ask for help. A performance coach can help you identify the interference and draw out your latent potential.

 The aim of coaching is “sustained cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that facilitate goal attainment and performance enhancement, either in one’s work or in one’s personal life” (Stober, Grant, & Editors, 2006). A performance coach will help you:  

• focus,
• articulate the goals and objectives you will achieve,
• reality check your perspective of the situation,
• identify and prioritize your options,
• analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) 

to help you plan and intentionally take action to achieve the desired outcomes. The performance coach will come along side to help you build the platform to launch your way forward and shape new visions and plans. You can start tapping into your destined greatness today and discover new energy and purpose. Try it, the advantage is a tangible return on the investment!