Intentional Growth as a Professional Coach

Leaders are readers!

I love to read. However, I've found that with all my otherresponsibilities and commitments, reading could easily end up on the ‘to do’list, or more accurately, the to-do-at-some-point-but-probably-not-very-soon-list.

After ignoring my reading for a season, I hadan unpleasant realization; I wasn’t growing.  Or at least, I wasn’t growing at the rate thatI had when I was regularly consuming a variety of books.  

I recognized that it was actually my responsibilityto continue to grow and learn. Why? Because God had entrusted me to walkalongside others as a coach and teacher helping direct their own development; how could I do that if I wasn’tfirst growing myself?  Without reading, aleaders influence and development as a Christian can often stagnate.  As the often spoken and true saying goes; leadersare readers.

My big hurdle to overcome was time. Or more precisely;time management.  I really believed I didn’thave any extra time. After some honest self-evaluation however, I discovered the problem wasn't time. The issue was in what I chose to do in my time. 

Watch T.V. for an hour or read Malcolm Gladwell’s book on the power ofthinking? The choice was easily simplified if viewed from this perspective.  I literally would ask myself: “which would add more value to my life and purpose? Surfing theinternet or reading a book on coaching or leadership?” It was obvious whatthe best answer was. This is an ongoing discipline requiring me to ask myself that question regularly. Fortunately,  it’s gotten much easierwith time to do what's best because the payoff is so huge!

I know there are coaches out there groaning right now (yes, Ihear you), so to move you from jeering to cheering, here’s a list of five ideasto help you fit reading into your busy schedule.

1. Listen to books on audio tape in your car while driving (I usedto be in the car constantly, and I could easily get through several books aweek!).
2. Listen to books on an mp3 player while you exercise. Thereare tons of free audio books and pod casts out there! (No, it’s not an excuse ifyou don’t know how to do this, Google it; it’s not that hard I promise).
3. Give yourself permission to read a book by choosing thechapter that most interests you first (no, it’s not a crime to read books out ofchronological order).
4. Figure out what topic most intrigues you. Is it financialsuccess? Then read Dave Ramsey. Is it spiritual growth? Then read Ravi Zacharias,Mark Driscoll, or Francis Chan. Is it business growth? Then read Zig Ziglar orMichael Hyatt. Is it practical wisdom? Then read Andy Andrews.
5. Ask others around you for recommendations. Ask your coach tosuggest a great book. Sometimes the overwhelming part for people is trying tochoose what to read; so ask someone you trust. 

The list of talented writers and speakers is nearly endless!There are scads of current and past authors who could add tremendous value toyour life and practice!

The bottom line is if you want to be successful as a coach,then you must read. Your clients deserve the best you can give them, andreading is a powerful avenue for improving your skills as a coach. Don’t wait,begin today!

Challenge question: what is one thing you can youdo today to make a step toward implementing one of these strategies? 
If you've had success in this area, share some of your strategies with others!

Inundated with Inauthentic Coaching Vernacular

You know, I read things like this every day "achieve your dreams" "believe that you can succeed and you will!" "I coach others to reach their full potential" or "attend my tele-seminar for the 10 secrets...." now don't misunderstand me, I'm not dismissing these statements altogether (in fact I've written them or spoken similar things many times!), however, there's something amiss when the language used to communicate hope and convey your unique strengths becomes so often repeated, with the same or very similar vernacular, over and over again, that the message begins to feel as genuine as a commercial for diet soda or laundry detergent!

As coaches we are in the people helping profession; our tanks are filled when others excel, thus we must reach deeper to carry that substantive truth to our prospective audience. When we lack the enthusiasm and discipline to invest in our message, we can end up sounding like a used car salesman! I don't want that for myself, nor do I want it for you! Therefore, we must choose to put consideration and authenticity into how we articulate ourselves as we deliver our competencies with integrity and sincerity. People are turned off (well, at least I am) by the used up jargon that is redundantly reinserted into emails, ads, and social media! For goodness sakes, if you're not actually reading the Bible please don't quote it as if you are! Be real! People can smell deception from miles away; don't be that 'guy'.

I am cognizant of the real potential that exists (is happening) for cheapening the profession of Life Coaching and Christian Coaching by the use of superfluous coaching 'lingo'. Let's put thought, energy and passion into a career that flows out of our life story and desire to serve Christ! When was the last time you read a new book on leadership, spirituality, personal growth or someones biography (no it doesn't count if you've skimmed through it on your ereader or read the back cover)? We must be continually immersing ourselves with credible and honorable learning opportunities to acquire fresh and profound ways of expression that can accurately represent our distinctive and unparalleled endowments.

I say all this foremost to myself. However, I believe this is such a potentially destructive trend that it demands our attention. If our genuine motivation is to help others through the truth of Christ, or our profession, then we must apply ourselves to the task wholeheartedly. This is the missing and critical element to success (as both a representative of Christ and as a professional), and one that's been heavy on my heart. I share it not with condemnation or judgement, but as encouragement and motivation to run the race well!

Whether you're a Christian Coach or Professional Coach you must recognize that you are a leader, and leadership carries a responsibility to those in your field of influence to be ever-learning and ever-growing yourself. I'm not there, you're not there, there's so much more for us to discover and realize.

Therefore, in light of this, let's strive to be imaginative, reaching deeply and prayerfully, for newfound ways to communicate our distinctiveness to others and you'll not only succeed professionally, but you'll live well as you climb.