Do I Need A Coach

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to hire a coach, you’re not alone. Many professionals reach a point where growth feels stalled, transitions feel overwhelming, or feedback becomes confusing. Coaching isn’t just for athletes or executives with big egos — it’s a strategic tool for professionals ready to grow with more intention, clarity, and support.

This article explores five common signs that you may benefit from coaching and what to expect if you decide to take that step.

1. You’ve Hit a Plateau

You’re competent. You’re capable. And yet, the growth curve has leveled out. Whether you’ve been in the same role for years or just feel like you’re no longer expanding, a coach can help you:

• See your blind spots

• Shift your mindset

• Practice innovation

• Reignite momentum

📚 Research Insight: According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, executive coaching improves goal attainment, resilience, and well-being, particularly for those in stagnation periods (Grant, 2014).

2. You’re Getting Feedback You Don’t Understand (or Agree With)

You’ve been told you’re “too intense” or “too fast.” You’re not sure what that means — or why it matters. A coach acts as a translator and helps you:

• Decode feedback

• Respond with clarity instead of defensiveness

• Turn critiques into actionable insights

📚 Research Insight: A 2018 study by Harvard Business Review showed that leaders who understand and integrate feedback improve their effectiveness ratings by 25% over a 12-month period.

3. You’re Navigating Change or Transition

Transitions — like promotions, retirements, reorganizations, or business pivots — are often loaded with ambiguity and stress. Coaching during these moments helps you:

• Prepare your mindset

• Build empathy for yourself and others

• Take action early and effectively

📚 Research Insight: The Institute of Coaching reports that coaching is particularly impactful during leadership transitions, boosting performance and confidence significantly during the first 90 days.

4. You’re a Pioneering Leader

You’re “the only,” “the first,” or the one who holds it all together. Coaching gives pioneering leaders:

• A confidential sounding board

• Space to speak openly

• Tools to reduce isolation and maintain clarity

5. You’re Experiencing Stress or Burnout

You say yes too often. No break feels long enough. You’re on the edge of burnout. A coach can help you:

• Build healthy habits

• Set boundaries

• Prioritize aligned opportunities

📚 Research Insight: The World Health Organization officially recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon. Coaching has been shown to reduce stress and increase work engagement, especially when integrated with habit-building techniques (ICF Global Coaching Study, 2023).

How to Know If You’re Ready

If any of these signs feel familiar, you don’t need to figure it out alone. The coaching relationship is designed to meet you where you are — not to fix you, but to help you see more, decide more confidently, and act with greater intention.

We recently talked about selecting a coach at Leadership COGS. Watch the full episode here.

Download our infographic reference summary here.

Contact The Lenserf Group to learn more or get matched with a coach who understands where you’re going.

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