Business Coach: Are Your Ethics & Business Results Connected?

Before I began this article I realized that it may upset quite a few individuals especially other coaches. However, the big, purple elephant in the room cannot be ignored.

During a recent email exchange among a masterminding group of 7 business coaches, executive coaches and business consultants, a personal experience was shared. Essentially, one member had a conversation with another coach outside of this group at a local chapter of a national coaching association.

This other coach said that “business coaches who coach other coaches were preying on their own due to all the current problems within this industry of business coaching.” I had heard this statement before as did my colleagues within this masterminding group.

After a series of questions and responses, my colleague said:

“Well, let’s see I prey on a few small business clients who typically double their business in 3-4 weeks…..but of course I also have a few of my young that I prey on…coaches I mean. Would you say that preying on someone might have a different perspective depending on whether you are helping them to secure measurable results or not?”

For the other coach who started the conversation could not clearly articulate the results that she delivered to her clients other than she helped them. As someone who believes “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” I have found the behaviors and therefore ethics of some coaches suspect.

The attitude that I helped someone feel better is just a little too much “kumbaya” for me. For if an investment in my services as an executive coach or business coach or even business consultant cannot deliver measurable and sustainable results, then why am I delivering these services? What value do I bring to my clients? And this is what business ethics (non-negotiable behaviors) or core values are truly about isn’t it?

Some coaches suggest that in “12 minutes that they can change your life” and make a difference. Well, I can usually ask one or two questions that create an “Ah-Ha” moment. So, what? Unless the person takes action, how has their life truly changed?

However, I can make the statement that my clients quickly double their business results in 30 to 90 days. I have the testimonials including specific measurable results to verify this statement. If I cannot help someone achieve their results, I will not take them on as a client. For my ethics of delivering a measurable positive return on investment is a fundamental core value and is non-negotiable behavior. Feel good is not a bad thing for we all desire to feel better, but it must be connected to measurable outcomes.

When more and more business coaches to executive coaches and even life coaches realize that they must connect their ethics to measurable business results, the coaching industry will no longer be faced with many of its current challenges. Unfortunately, there are too many coaches who are looking for a quick buck (This is the big purple elephant in the room.) at their clients’ expense.

About the Author

Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. is a business coach and executive coach with offices in Indianapolis and near Chicago. She writes, speaks and coaches people in businesses to quickly double or triple results through the creation of an executable strategic plan along with the necessary leadership skills “to pull it off.”

One quick question,if you could secure one new client or breakthrough that one roadbloack holding you back from success, what would that mean to you? Then, take a risk and give me, Leanne, a call at 219.759.5601 to experience incredible results.

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