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Studies show that coaching with the right coach can be extremely beneficial. The Institute of Coaching cites that over 70% of individuals who receive coaching benefited from improved work performance, relationships and more effective communication skills. They also reported that 86% of companies feel that they recouped the investment they made into coaching plus more on top. Studies show that coaching is effective at reducing procrastination and facilitating goal attainment and there is a growing body of empirical research that supports the findings that business coaching really does facilitate goal achievement. Despite its growing popularity, there are a lot of misconceptions that remain.
According to leading career coach experts, the following misconceptions are the most common.
That a strategically written résumé is all you need to conduct a successful job search
There is so much that goes into an effective job search - simply improving your CV will not cut it. You may need to identify what you’re interested in with regards to company size, industry, specific roles, think about where your skills match the requirements, tactfully reach out to relevant contacts, research open roles and companies, articulate your strengths and value proposition, practice for interviews, and the list goes on. Coaches can help you through all these steps, but note, you will need to do the work to see results.
That you only have to attend one career-coaching session and your job challenges will be resolved
According to Donna Sweidan, a certified career coach with over 15 years of experience in the field and the founder of careerfolk.com, it takes around eight to 10 hours of counselling for the typical client to begin internalizing the key benefits of coaching.
Coaching is only for entry level employees
Career coaching can benefit anyone who wants to take a more focused, considered and strategic approach to their career or life. Eric Schmidt, Sheryl Sandberg, Steve Jobs, and Evan Spiegel all worked with executive coaches and everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Leonardo DiCaprio to Bill Clinton have worked with life coaches.
That life or career coaching is expensive and self indulgent
Investing in yourself and achieving your goals will enable you to be the best version of yourself which in turn will build confidence and empower you to help those around you. People are hesitant to spend money on developing themselves and their careers when in reality a lot of us spend more on less value adding things like too many dinners out, that when done in excess will lead to less fulfilment. It’s your career and life and worth investing a little to have more meaning!
That the onus rests on the life or career coach for the client to reach their goals
Coaches will help you achieve your goals, but the important word here is help. Like anything, the student has to be willing to do the work if they want to see results.
Achieving goals and finding greater fulfilment in life, requires clarity, focus, dedication, consistent work and determination. Coaches aren’t magical beings and can’t ensure anything is achieved without a commitment from yourself to do the work. With a good coach, you’ll be best placed to grow, thrive and achieve your goals and dreams.