Business advisors can be a great resource for leaders who want to tap into outside expertise to improve their performance and reach their business goals. There’s no limit to what a business advisor can help with; people hire me as a business advisor to help with all types of scenarios:
- Offer clarity in situations when an outside perspective is needed
- Deal with job pressures
- Solve their complex and technical problems
- Navigate organizational change (change management)
- Facilitate strategic planning
- Mediate conflict or conversations
- Share business management insights
- Receive additional coaching support
Importantly, you don’t have to wait for there to be a “problem” before hiring a business advisor. A good advisor can help you work through difficult situations before they become a problem, improve your efficiency, and so much more. A business advisor can also be a sounding board for executives to explore options and new ideas.
One of the biggest myths corporate leaders adopt is that they have to do everything on their own. That they must have all the answers. It’s simply not true! As a business advisor and coach, my services are just like any other consultant’s offerings—I’m here to partner with you to help you reach your goals, whatever that might be.
A Piece of Advice if You’re Considering Hiring a Business Advisor
If you’re considering hiring a business advisor, I have an unconventional piece of advice. To really get the most out of your engagement, you need to put your ego aside.
The value of working with a business advisor is they have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They’ve been exposed to a variety of business contexts. They know how to handle the different scenarios you might throw at them. That’s why you hire a business advisor! But acknowledging and taking their advice can be difficult for some leaders. As a business advisor and coach, I’ve seen this dynamic play out countless times.
It’s understandable—you’re in a leadership position for a reason, and it can be difficult to accept and admit that you don’t have all the answers. It’s also important to note that your business advisor won’t have all the answers either. There is no “easy button” when it comes to navigating complex challenges. But working with an experienced advisor like myself can offer you the chance to forge new paths where there was once wilderness. It’s not easy, but it’s certainly possible. In my experience, you make the most progress towards your goals when you accept that you alone can’t make the map and build the road forward—nor do you need to.
There’s No “Easy” Button in Business—or Life
Here’s an example of a situation I supported an organization through as their business advisor.
I was supporting a company through a change management situation. Change management is a straightforward process, but each step requires planning. You can usually understand and anticipate what challenges and setbacks might arise along the way and plan to minimize any disruption to the schedule. I was supporting some leaders through an organizational change, and advised them to acknowledge there would possibly be setbacks we would need to plan for to avoid delays. They were eager to see the project finished, overly optimistic and reluctant to spend time working through all the potential issues, and had confidence because of their egos to “force” the change through to completion. Although we worked through every issue that came up, it took almost two years to complete the process for a change that could have taken six months—far longer than they had initially desired. Every possible issue came up and caused delays, many of them completely avoidable.
Business advisors can help with a number of challenges, but regardless of why you hire them, take a moment and put your ego aside. Take it from me; it’ll save you time and money in the long run.
Helping Business Leaders Grow Through Business Advisory and Leadership Coaching
One of the advantages to working with my company, Energy Leadership Advisors, is you don’t just get a business advisor when you hire me–you get an executive coach, too. If you do find yourself facing growth opportunities in your individual leadership, such as accepting support, these are things we can work through together.
I’m passionate about giving leaders the tools they need to be successful. Whether that’s a fresh perspective or insights from years in the hot seat, I’m here to support you. A good coach can help prepare you for life’s everyday challenges in addition to the larger business needs. My goal is to support you as you grow in your leadership, helping you clarify your values and align your work to what matters most to you.
For more information about my business advisory services, how I integrate coaching support, or package details, please don’t hesitate to send me a message. I look forward to hearing from you!