One question I get from my clients is, “Why help us when you have your own business to run?” It’s a great question that I think about a lot because it would be less work if I just did one. But I do better work with BOTH because I do both. Here’s why:
Understanding Real-World Dynamics
I want to test and understand what is really happening in the business world as a coach. By running my own business, I’m constantly facing the same challenges as my clients. This gives me a unique perspective and enables me to offer practical, actionable advice.
Hands-On Experience
I am a hands-on person, always have been and always will be. Running my own business while coaching others allows me to stay directly involved in the day-to-day operations and challenges of business management. This hands-on approach keeps my skills sharp and ensures that the advice I give is practical and grounded in real-world experience for my coaching clients because I have done it, not just read about it.
Taking hands-on experience a level deeper, I learn best by trying, and this applies to both my coaching and my business. Each new idea or strategy I encounter through coaching is an opportunity for me to test its viability in my own business. This dual approach means I’m not just talking theory; I’m applying and refining strategies in real time, providing my clients with tested and proven advice.
I am also a firm believer that one time is not a pattern, so to see if something works, we need to test this multiple times. This can be really hard to iterate sitting in my office as a CEO; I may only get one time to try something and won’t know if it really works or it was a fluke. So by implementing new strategies and techniques side-by-side with my clients, we get a better idea of what works as well as how to improve.
Learning Through Collaboration
I learn best by talking and collaborating. Engaging with clients gives me the opportunity to discuss ideas, share experiences, and explore new strategies. These interactions not only benefit my clients but also enrich my own understanding and approach to business.
One of our core values at Rock Paper Scissors is co-creativity. It is easy to get co-creative on branding and marketing projects as we work with our creative team and clients. But I don’t want this to stop with just the services we offer, I want this for the operations and structure of the business. Coaching is an amazing space to have this co-creative experience for operations.
Fresh Ideas Feed Innovation
My coaching and business activities feed into each other. Each client brings new ideas and experiences that I might never have been exposed to on my own and vice versa. My clients benefit from this as they get advice from someone who has implemented and supported others in implementing various processes. This is not just theory we are looking at, but first-hand experience.
Many times when a clients brings new ideas, I will implement them with my team either before or right alongside my clients to see how they go. I love trying new things, and so does my team! They are accustomed to this and know how to communicate their experiences, providing valuable insights into how new strategies impact employees.
Walking My Talk
I am a coach and I have a coach. I believe in the power of coaching and personal development. By continuously working on my own growth and development, I can better support my clients in their journeys. I walk my talk and lead by example, showing my clients that the principles I teach are the same ones I live by.
The pandemic was a very real moment of this. I was living the stress of the situation right alongside my clients and figuring out how to shift and adapt. This shared experience allowed me to offer empathy and practical solutions that were relevant and effective.
I will always have a business as long as I am a coach. This dual role keeps me grounded and connected to the realities of the business world. It ensures that my coaching is relevant and rooted in current business practices.
Running a business and coaching others might seem like a lot of work, but it’s a synergy that enhances my ability to serve my clients. This dual approach allows me to provide practical, real-world advice, and continuously learn and grow alongside my clients.
Black Creek Business Coaching 