A few summers ago, I was on a much-needed get away from my one-bedroom apartment in New York City. For weeks, I had been burning the midnight oil — writing my capstone research paper for a master’s program in organizational leadership — and was excited to relax and unwind in the Adirondack mountains.
Is Coaching the Right Career for You?
We need more millennial leadership coaches.
October 24, 2023
Summary.
Now in our late 20s to early 40s, millennials make up over 35% of the U.S. workforce, but only around 8% of its coaches. One of the reasons why: Many people fundamentally confuse coaching with consulting or mentoring.
- While consultants make recommendations based on their expertise and mentors share their wisdom from years of experience, true coaching is a transformational partnership between the coach and the client, focused on unleashing the client’s potential rather than delivering the coach’s advice.
- You don’t need several decades of leadership experience to participate in this kind of partnership. You just need the right tools, training, and mindset.
- For those interested in becoming a coach, start by working with your own leadership coach to develop your skills and see if you’re interested in the practice.
- Look into your local community to see if there are opportunities to volunteer as a coach for a cause you care about, and conduct informational interviews with a variety of people in the field to explore different business models.
- Finally, if you’re serious about coaching, it’s worth investing in coaching education. Most programs offer at least 60 hours of instruction and typically include an introduction to the ICF core competencies.
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Coaching Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Coaching. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
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New!
HBR Learning
Coaching Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Coaching. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to help your employees become the best they can be.