What is a Career Coach? Is it worth it?

Recently, I had a conversation with my friend Kristen Harcourt. Kristen is an amazing speaker and HR Influencer. If you haven’t seen her Disrupt HR talks, check them out! In addition to her influencing and speaking, she’s built up quite the professional and executive coaching business. Though I’ve heard amazing things about her as a coach, I recently had the opportunity to see her in action. 

My honest opinion?

She’s amazing. 

What is a career coach?

When I met with her, I had no idea what a coach even was. When she asked what I thought it was, I didn’t even try to guess. Most people, she said, often see a coach as a mentor or a consultant. Turns out, however, a coach is someone who asks questions to uncover motivations, drivers, and solidly next steps. After spending just one short hour with Kristen, she honestly seemed like a business therapist of sorts. She helps people understand more about themselves and create positive behaviors and habits to improve their careers. 

What did she help me uncover?

Prior to working with Kristen, I had thought that my motivation was to help companies create technology that solves real problems. Although that is my goal, through working with her, I discovered my actual motivation is authenticity.

What does it meant to be authentic?

Personally, I have always been one who wants direct feedback and values honesty. I’ve never been a “no news is bad news” type of person. If you’re mad at me, tell me. If you want me to start or stop doing something, tell me. But, tell me. 

In my career, I see authenticity as working to solve real problems for real people. Lately, I’ve seen some chatter in the HR technology community that really bothers me. I’ve seen companies create solutions to a problem that doesn’t actually exist. In my opinion, at least. One example of this, in my opinion, is Instant pay solutions. Although many argue the benefits of instant pay solutions, I personally believe that they avoid solving the real problem. People aren’t paid a livable wage. I’m under the belief that it doesn’t matter when someone gets paid if the amount isn’t large enough to cover the cost of living. And, it bothers me that companies would rather spend money on an instant pay technology instead of increasing wages for their people. To me, authenticity is about looking at situations authentically and working to solve real problems.

While digging deep into motivations, Kristen and I discussed what I wanted for the future, what’s getting in my way, and steps to overcome those roadblocks.

What’s next?

I want to be around and work with real, authentic people. People like Laurie, Katrina, Heather, Tim, Janine, and Sarah who aren’t afraid to talk about real issues they face and offer solutions to them. People who accept who they are and know what they want and aren’t afraid (or pretend not to be) to go after their dreams. 

I want to talk about real, authentic things and find solutions to improve the lives of others. 

I want to help others be their authentic selves and step up to be part of the solutions.

At the end of the coaching session, Kristen asked me to define next steps. Create goals. We also worked together to come up with solutions to my roadblocks to help me act on my authentic self. 

What’s the verdict on a career coach?

Meeting with Kristen was exactly what I needed. Everyone needs someone to help them be their authentic self. We all need someone to call us out and set us straight. And, we all need someone to bounce ideas and make sure we’re on the right track for us. 

In my opinion, everyone needs a coach. And, Kristen is great one. 

If you want to learn more about Kristen, please connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn. It’s worth it.

And, if you are want to work with someone who is authentic and looking to solve real problems, let’s connect. I’d love to work with you, too!