Can anyone have a career if they are only given appropriate coaching? Definitely: no. This is what someone who should know says: Hans-Georg Willmann is a psychologist, specialist author of career guides, and coach. But that’s not bad: “My clients have very different professional goals, not everyone wants to have a career .” For some, other things simply have priority. This is exactly what the coach then tries to work out.
“Career means something different for everyone,” explains Willmann. One would like to do a doctorate and acquire expertise, another would like to take on managerial responsibility and the third would like to earn more money or have more time for himself. At the beginning of a coaching session, Willmann analyzes his customers’ goals, potential, and self-image. His conclusion is surprising: “If someone does not have a career, it is often not because of the lack of potential, but because of the will.”
“Coaching cannot replace professional competence”
A career coach is not an all-purpose weapon. Heike Cobaugh, who specializes in the training of executives, also sees it this way: “No coaching in the world can replace professional competence,” she says. Those who use coaching often want to do something for their personal development or optimize their leadership style. “I often see people who have just completed a career move,” reports the trainer. Women then often have the feeling that they cannot assert themselves. Men in positions of responsibility, on the other hand, often have no control over their temperament. “Often they just say: there are problems with the boss or a colleague.”
Sometimes the employer sends a manager for coaching: “The demands that employees place on a department head are different today than they were 20 years ago,” explains Cobaugh. Even those who have been in a position for a long time still have to work on themselves. If problems arise, again and again, the only thing that helps is changing employers: “It’s better to look for a company that suits you rather than just adapting to the company. ” Nobody should bend completely.
“My clients are often in a situation of change in their professional or private lives,” says Willmann. These include career starters, but also those returning to work or switching: “I have also coached clients who were about to retire and wanted a clean exit.” The tasks that a coach takes on range from strategy analysis to reviewing application documents.
A coach helps with a realistic assessment of skills
Especially before a job change, a coach can help build self-confidence. “The longer the job search takes, the more the self-assessment suffers,” reports Willmann. Some candidates would grossly overestimate themselves and therefore often appear arrogant, while others would only have a very low self-esteem after being fired. In both cases, it is important to come back to a realistic assessment of your own abilities – for example by simulating job interviews.
“A serious coach knows what he can do, but also what he can’t,” says Willmann. “I do not offer advice on labor law, psychotherapy, or financial advice.” For example, if someone is in a burnout situation visits a coach, he should refer him to a psychotherapist if necessary. “Every coach should also have a sound training that also has a psychological component.” Many questioning and analysis techniques in coaching originally came from psychology.
“When choosing a coach, you should also listen to your gut instinct,” advises Cobaugh. It is usual to have a free initial conversation on the phone, which enables an initial assessment. “Clients are free to ask for qualifications and references.” However, coaching training is not regulated by law. An indication of professionalism is, for example, membership in a professional association and regular participation in further training. “The best selection criterion is still a personal recommendation.”
Overcoming obstacles and dissolving blockages
Two hours are enough for a simple application check, but support is often necessary over a longer period of time. “The better chance of success is clearly a coaching over the entire process,” reports Willmann. Typically, 10 one to two-hour sessions over three to six months would be normal.
“Most coaching providers differentiate between the fee, whether the contract comes from a company or a private person,” explains Cobaugh. A private client might be charged 80 dollars an hour. A coach would charge corporate customers between 130 and 250 dollars for an hour and in exceptional cases more.
For the money, the customer receives professional support in his professional development. Not more but also not less. “Coaching doesn’t turn anyone into a new person,” emphasizes Willmann. After all, his craft is not magic. But: “Coaching helps to overcome obstacles and dissolve self-blockages – and thus to achieve one’s goals.”
