January 17th 2024.
Finding the right partner can be a daunting process, and the same can be said for finding the right career coach. Not only is it crucial to find the right fit, but it's also important to foster and manage the relationship with them for success. In the second part of our Women of Power series, "Yes, You Need a Career Coach," Marsha Haygood, founder of StepWise Associates L.L.C., shares her insights on how women can nurture their relationships with career coaches.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and this holds true for the relationship between a coach and a client. Building a trusting relationship with your coach is essential, as it allows for open communication and honest feedback. As Haygood explains, "No. 1, it's the confidentiality part. And secondly, I have to feel comfortable enough as a coach to give you honest feedback. And, you have to be comfortable enough to accept it. And, that takes time."
It's important to be open to the process of trusting your coach and to remember that they can only go as far as you allow them. The ultimate goal is to achieve success, and being receptive to feedback is crucial in this journey. As Haygood advises, "Sometimes we don't want to hear about the blind spots, know, or believe, the blind spots, we've never heard about those blind spots." It can be challenging to receive feedback, especially after negative experiences in the workplace, but Haygood suggests that remaining open and eager to grow is key.
As a coach, Haygood stresses the importance of being open to feedback and evaluating it objectively. One way to practice this is to share feedback with people you trust who will give you honest opinions. Haygood recalls a time when she received surprising feedback at work, and instead of being offended, she used it as a learning experience. "I told the story and I shared the feedback and said, 'I don't think that I'm sarcastic' and everybody's head went down! And, I said, 'Really?' and they said, 'Hmm, sometimes you can lay it on pretty thick.' This moment taught her the value of being open to feedback and how it can help you grow.
It's essential to have a strategic approach when receiving feedback. As Haygood suggests, "What am I going to do with this information?" In her book, "The Little Black Book of Success," she encourages women to implement the 24-Hour Rule, which advises not to respond to feedback right away. This allows for a strategic rather than an emotional response, leading to personal growth. A career coach can also help you navigate difficult conversations with your employer and find ways to improve your performance.
It's important to remember that there are different coaches for different phases of life. Your relationship with your coach can evolve and change as you progress in your career. As Haygood shares, "I've had clients for 10 years at a time. That doesn't mean that I've been coaching them for 10 years, but they started off coaching with me, and then, they started living out that process and they check in with me from time to time." Each person's journey is unique, but building a strong relationship with a coach takes time and effort.
If you have identified a career coach since part one of this series, and you're wondering how to ask for what you want with them, stay tuned for more insights from Haygood. Remember, finding the right career coach and building a trusting relationship with them is essential for success. Trust the process and be open to feedback, and you'll be on your way to achieving your career goals.
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