When to turn to a leadership coach?

You don’t need to wait for a crisis to seek coaching, whether it’s to support your leadership, work-life balance or another aspect of life that may need some attention.

During the last 13 years or so, I’ve been turning to short coaching processes and targeted individual coaching sessions at my key moments of growth, pressure, or transition.

Initially, before I ever received coaching myself, I was quite skeptical of nearly all forms of coaching. Today, I’m a proponent of various types of coaching – basically whichever type suits the need.

For example, in my new role as a CEO of a drug rehab nonprofit organization in Finland (to add to the work of leading two distinct educational programs at a private college), I’m currently utilizing work-life coaching sessions (on demand), as well as a 6 session leadership coaching process.

Both of these little lifesavers are keeping me afloat and I’m very thankful to have learned enough humility over the years to recognize my varying need of support. Honestly, I credit much of my resilience and any possible leadership skill and balance that I may may have, to an acutely developed attitude and a willingness to seek help without hesitation.

So, here are at least 7 key moments when to use coaching that I have identified as a leader and a coach:

1. During role changes

New responsibilities or roles usually require new ways of thinking, communicating and leading.

2. During organizational change

According to systemic thinking, when one piece changes, the system changes. Anticipate situations, facilitate some intentional conversations and get some external perspective.

3. In overload

If you’ve been putting out fires and carrying responsibility to the point that your new normal is exhausted and cynical.

4. To grow better

Yes, you can learn by trial and error, and you obviously need to. Sink or swim is one approach, but good coaching can sharpen your thinking, emotional intelligence and leadership – on steroids.

5. In “muddy waters” or indecision

Especially during stress or overwhelm, analysis paralysis can hit us. Here again, external perspective may illuminate our blind spots and help evaluate options and outcomes.

6. Before burnout

If sleep, relationships, or energy levels are impacted more than usual, it’s WAY better to get support earlier, not later.

7. In leadership

Period. But, especially in relation to vision and strategy, values, productivity, agility and adaptability, teamwork and dynamics, communication, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, resilience, and… you name it.

For me, coaching has shifted from optional to crucial during different phases of life and work. I use it mostly for clarity and personal growth.