“The pandemic has only heightened the need for skilled coaching. The outside perspective of an experienced executive coach can be really useful in the current climate, as many companies are restructuring their long-term plans. Coaching — and the support structures that make coaching effective — is more important now than ever.” Harvard Business Review 

The year 2020 will go down in history for many reasons, not the least of which as being the global pandemic. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in America and around the world, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and costing multi-millions of jobs in the US, alone.

As of December 12 th , the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported, “Since mid-March, a total of 682,362 regular initial unemployment claims have been filed and a grand total of 916,915 claims, including federal (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) benefits.”

That is a lot of anxious people out of work from many companies – large and small – who are all reevaluating their business models.

As an experienced career coach in Boulder, CO, I felt compelled to share some vital information to help guide confounded business leaders and displaced professionals to re-discover their professional purposes and chart new journeys to make 2021 count!

Harvard Business Review published a compilation of data from a survey of corporate executives, managers, human resources professionals, and others, to explore the benefits of hiring an executive coach, a consultant or a psychotherapist to provide guidance for their leadership team and employees. This “Buyers Guide” explains the differences and how best practices in career coaching include aspects of counseling and therapy.

Consultants

Consultants are paid by companies to find solutions to specific issues. They focus on an employee’s organizational performance and objectively share their quantitative analysis of problems discovered to employers.

Consultants are hired to advise business leaders on relevant matters, while practicing under the company’s standard rule of ethics. Members of management are always included in goal-setting with consultants they hire.

Therapists

Therapists operate subjectively under standard medical ethics practices and generally focus on their clients’ pasts. Individuals hire therapists to diagnose and treat psychological trauma and focus on behavioral issues. They are paid to ask tough questions to get to the root of the trauma, as well as find ways for the client to conquer difficult situations at home and at work.

Coaches

Unlike therapists, coaches have their sights set on the future! Coaches encourage individuals in their professional performances and help executives discover their own paths through goal- setting while keeping them apprised of any important business matters.

Executive coaches are hired by companies to operate under a clear standard of ethics, ask difficult questions and explore behaviors that may be positively or negatively impact an employee’s job or home life.

How an Experienced Career Coach Can Help You in 2021

As a career, leadership and executive coach in Boulder, my emphasis is geared toward helping all professionals in their phases of exploration, transition, promotion, and salary negotiation. By tapping into my years of education and experience, I can help improve the clarity of your business acumen and increase your level of self-confidence by highlighting your values and strengths.

Once you set your sights on the future and confidently embark on an exciting, employment journey, time will be the only thing standing between you and the achievement of your professional goals and desires in 2021! Contact me today for your FREE initial consultation. 202.491.5487

Jane McCoy McKean is a certified career, leadership and executive coach with a Master’s in Counseling. Jane combines empathy, positive energy and business acumen with positive psychology, cognitive-behavioral theory, and constructivist theory and the latest, sound coaching techniques from The College of Executive Coaching.

Sources:
1 John Behr, Harvard Business Review
2 Diane Coutu and Carol Kauffman, Harvard Business Review