Why Do Highly Successful Leaders Need a Consultant or Coach ?

Recently I spent a day with a consultant- the purpose of the day was to look at my business and have an outside expert tell me what he saw.

I have enjoyed great success as a consultant myself, a coach and keynote speaker. Here’s my problem I had gotten used to my success.

Before you jump ahead and think I am on an ego trip- please let me explain. I had gotten comfortable on focusing on what had brought me success. By the way this is exactly what stops people like me and you from going to the next breakthrough or level of capability.

My consultant is an expert in helping business owners get out of their own way. He says that 75% of the time he confirms what the business owner already knows and 25% he comes up with brilliant ideas that contribute to the businesses success. I agree with that statement. When I am hired as a consultant or coach I listen, I ask questions and then I provide ideas and strategies to help my clients get to where they want to go.

So, why do highly successful leaders need a consultant or coach? Because we buy in to our own tactics that have got us to where we are and we have become entrenched in the success habits that got us to the current level.

A consultant sees what we may know BUT what we are NOT doing. It is worth big bucks to have someone remind you of what needs to be done to achieve what you want to achieve.

I have been investing in consultants and coaches in my business since I started it in 1994- every time I have invested I have netted unexpected gains. Of course I increase revenues (which quickly justify the consulting investment) but in addition I gain new self awareness, new insights on where my thinking has been focused and renewed energy and commitment to my business, my team and my clients.

I am currently working with a number of consulting and coaching clients and by me working with my own consultant I bring extra value to my clients. I openly tell my clients that I have my own consultant/coach and they are always impressed, but more importantly see that I am on the path to continual growth and improvement.

Look around you, I would bet that for every successful leader you know they have a secret weapon- a consultant or a coach.