Americans spent $1 billion on business, personal and relationship coaches in 2017, and though many executives have grown to view coaching as a helpful tool, not every leader will necessarily benefit from the experience, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Here are four signs that an executive is not ready for coaching:
1. They blame external factors for their problems. People who look for scapegoats whenever they encounter problems often lack self awareness, and before coaching can be effective they need to learn how their actions affect others.
2. Their calendar is too full. If leaders cannot make the time for coaching, and are constantly canceling or rescheduling sessions, they are not mentally prepared to welcome coaching into their lives.
3. They focus too much on tips and tactics. Some leaders think coaching is just a series of quick fixes, and while they are willing to change their behaviors, they are unshakable in their beliefs. The true job of a coach is to help executives reveal the unconscious motivations behind their actions, and if they are not willing to confront those, they are not ready for coaching.
4. They take too long to find the right coach. Finding a compatible coach is important, but there are many qualified candidates out there, and it is a red flag if an executive takes too long to find one. This delay could be a defense mechanism that shows they are not truly receptive to the idea of coaching.