Coaches are one of the few individuals who provide a perspective that is completely objective rather than biased, and yet aligned with the goals you’ve established. A coach is not a friend, a mentor, or a coworker who is only trying to make you feel better, tell you what to do, or potentially have an alternative agenda. A certified coach is a professional who trained in understanding what you are trying to achieve, challenging you in a constructive manner, and has your agenda first and foremost.

The value of coaching can be felt at any level of an organization. While coaching in its infancy was typically offered to only the C-suite, even those individuals have realized the benefits of coaching at all levels of their organization.

Don’t believe me? Check out this TED talk featuring Bill Gates and Eric Schmidt.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLF90uwII1k 

To be absolutely clear, coaching is very different than consulting.  Consultants are often brought in to prescribe a solution based on their specific expertise.  If you are deploying a widely-adopted platform and are looking for technical expertise on best practices, an experienced consultant is your best option.

However, if you’ve deployed said platform, and you are facing challenges in people adopting (or in worst case resisting) that platform, it’s no longer a technical issue and requires a different skillset.  Active listening, creating and maintaining alignment, and resolving conflict are concepts and skills that are the bread and butter of anyone who is responsible for project delivery, and being coached will help develop these vital skills.

I’ve spent over 25 years in the IT field,  primarily in delivery roles. I’ve been a project manager, was promoted to lead a development team, and was tasked to run a program management office.  I’ve experienced the challenges of getting a product out the door and found a way to overcome the obstacles that have come up. Most importantly, I’ve managed to do this in a sustainable way that increases my likelihood of being on time, on budget, and with quality release after release.

Clients who have worked with me have found they have more options than they believed possible, as well as finding more clarity on how to achieve their goals. Whether it’s helping a PMO leader prepare for their annual “state of the business” presentation or streamlining the day to day challenges of an international team, clients can expect a greater sense of control in how they respond to situations.