Should You Hire a Business Coach for Women?
In today’s competitive professional landscape, the question of whether to enlist the guidance of a business coach is one that many women contemplate. What exactly does a business coach for women do, and how might their support differ from conventional coaching services? As we delve into the role of a business coach tailored for women, we uncover the nuanced challenges that women encounter in the workplace and explore how coaching can address these hurdles. Join me as I examine the important considerations and common FAQs surrounding hiring a business coach for women, empowering you to make an informed decision about investing in your personal and professional growth.
What Is a Business Coach for Women?
A business coach for women specializes in helping their clients with a wide range of professional topics—including career strategy, skill development, people management and more. In particular, business coaching for women often considers the complexities around how women are socialized in historically male-dominated workplace cultures.
According to Sunny Stout-Rostron, “Contemporary research shows us that working with gender in organizations is often about who has power and who doesn’t.” Women face unique challenges, such as gender bias, more caregiving responsibilities outside of work, and underrepresentation in leadership positions.
Different coaches offer different coaching solutions for women. Finding the right support is important. Some coaching clients want more strategic business thought leadership, while others may need help with the tactical day-to-day business. Coaching can be leveraged as a key resource to both recognize and conquer these challenges.
What Does a Business Coach for Women Do?
A business coach for women is a supportive thought partner and guide for women at any level of their career, especially those with aspirations to reach the next level. The experience is often tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by women, and the work commonly involves the following.
Reflection: Great coaches start by helping their clients clarify what success looks like for them as an individual.Creating clearly defining goals is harder than it looks! Having the thought partnership of a coach can help clarify and speed the process.
Goal setting: A coach supports clients to take tangible action toward what they want to achieve or change in their lives. This often means developing high priority goals to root the engagement in a meaningful direction and intention.
Online & offline support: Great coaches provide an experience that extends beyond weekly or biweekly sessions. Regular contact via email check-ins can be incredibly helpful when celebrating a success or getting support in challenging times. Often coaches have a wealth of learning materials to further personal and professional development outside of sessions.
Feedback: Often it's hard to see how our own habits, beliefs, and behaviors hold us back from living our best lives. Coaches provide candid feedback, both positive and constructive, in service of supporting their clients to reach their most important goals.
Encouragement/celebration: Think about the times when you’ve been brave, self-advocating, productive at work, or able to speak your mind… only to be ignored or dismissed. A coach is someone you can reach out to work through this common occurrence. They are just as supportive in the hard times as the good times.
Time Management:The importance of excellent time management can not be underestimated in today’s business landscape where calendars are packed to the max and often double booked. A coach can help tackle calendar overwhelm by providing their clients with tools for priority setting, creating work-life boundaries, and providing guidance on resources like The Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix.
Great business coaching for women is tailored to fit the client’s needs. While the scope of work that a women’s coach covers is generally very large, what matters most is finding a coach who narrows the focus to meet your needs.
When to Hire a Business Coach for Women
Coaching is only effective if you have the time, space, and commitment to make the most of it. So no, not everyone should hire one. Only those who are in a place to commit to the process should seriously consider this investment. That said, for those who are able to fully commit, progress toward goals can happen right away.
Women are often prompted to hire a coach for a number of reasons, including:
Lacking confidence, especially at work
Feeling of burnout or overwhelm
Unsure about career trajectory
Challenges with co-workers
Lonely as a startup founder or executive leader
Everything is already great but you want to keep leveling up
Any of these reasons, combined with the focus and determination to create positive change, might suggest it’s time for you to hire a coach.
Common Coaching FAQs I See
Looking for some quick answers to your questions on business coaching for women? Here are some of the most common FAQs I see and my quick answers to each.
Is business coaching for women different from normal business coaching?
While the core principles of business coaching—goal setting, improving performance and skill development—are the same, it’s important to have a coach who understands how these challenges show up differently for women. Navigating gender bias, confidence, self-promotion or authentic leadership development, are real issues that women face daily. A coach experienced in these areas can share strategies that help, and having a coach who gets these nuances is important.
Should a business coach have personal experience in business?
It depends on what the client is looking for in their coach. Businesses have their own cultures, challenges, and demands. What works in one system may not in others. I’ve coached in tech, education, and non-profit sectors, and while there are many overlapping issues, my clients also face unique challenges. While having a coach with your same business background may not be possible, they should have expertise in the challenges that women in business face.
How long does it take to see results from coaching?
The journey is unique to each woman depending on their individual needs and goals. Many clients report tangible results within a few weeks of coaching. Depending on the client's desires, long term engagements that extend over a year or more can also provide consistent support and continued professional growth at a sustainable pace.
Starting Your Coaching Journey
Finding the right coach is essential to maximize the benefits of coaching. Look for someone with relevant experience, credentials, and a coaching style that resonates with you. Don't be afraid to interview multiple coaches before making a decision. Whoever you choose, just remember, you're worthy of investing in yourself!
If you feel you could benefit from professional coaching support, please feel free to read more about my coaching approach for women. Or, if you'd like to chat directly for a free 20 minute consultation, please use the form below. I'd love to meet you!