How to get (and pay for!) coaching
What is coaching?
I realized I needed a coach when I was struggling with a tough issue in my organization, but I wasn’t sure who I could talk to. I wanted to be able to speak freely, especially about the things that were worrying me. I didn’t want to engage the board or staff until I had my thoughts in order. I couldn’t talk to friends about sensitive issues. And, let’s be honest, my wife was sick of hearing about the job. So I started exploring consultants that could help - but realized that I didn’t need help with implementation of a project, but the thinking behind the project.
Around that time, a colleague happened to mention their coach. They talked about the clarity they had through their conversations. How it was a relief to have an unbiased perspective when they talked through strategy. Someone who was focused on their leadership approach instead of the organization’s mission. I thought, I want that.
A coach is a thought partner, co-conspirator, and a cheerleader. A coach listens to your goals, and helps you assess where you are, where you want to be, and helps you develop the plan to get there. Coaching is focused on your leadership growth and success. Coaches can keep you on track, hold you accountable for plans, and bring an unbiased assessment to the options you have to choose from. A coach can also help you take a breath, see the humor in many situations, and help you maintain your perspective.
It’s like work therapy, but with action items.
How do I know if I need a coach?
There are lots of different ways to get support for your leadership, including training, consulting, and coaching. All three are necessary at different times throughout your leadership - and often at the same time.
Say you want to do some work around your organization's approach to racial equity. What type of work do you want to do?
I need a shared racial equity vocabulary in my organization.
TRAINING
I need to integrate racial equity into my strategic planning.
CONSULTING
I need a thought partner in my racial equity strategy development.
COACHING
How do I pay for coaching?
So you’ve figured out you want coaching but the expense is not built into your budget. How do you pay for it? Here are some ideas.
If you’re taking on a new job, or renegotiating a contract in a current job, negotiate coaching funds as a part of your compensation package.
Talk with your board about including money for coaching in your next budget.
An organization’s budget is its priorities.
Talk to your institutional funders about any funds they have that will pay for coaching.
Many funders know, and more are coming to understand, that their programmatic funds are best invested with leaders who have the support they need to meet those programmatic goals. This includes coaching.
Talk with your major donors who are deeply invested in your mission: would they individually or as a group be willing to donate to a coaching fund, in addition to their ongoing gifts?
Be prepared to make the case for why this support will help all of the support they provide be used more effectively.