If you’ve begun your own nonprofit or moved into the top leadership role in an already-existing organization, you may find fewer opportunities to learn from someone else day-to-day. Suddenly, you’ve got to become more intentional about growth and skill-building!
The focus of a nonprofit career coach is to help you be more successful – and for that reason, it’s worth considering if working with a coach might be a valuable step in your leadership journey.
Hiring a coach can supercharge your leadership.
A coach can help you better understand who you are as a leader and where your opportunities for growth lie. They can help you identify your strengths and understand how to better apply those capabilities and skills to your community work.
So when is it a good time to think about working with a nonprofit career coach?
1. You got a promotion.
If you’ve been promoted to a higher-level position and will need help or mentorship around developing a particular set of skills, a career coach is a great idea for you. It’s not uncommon for companies or organizations to factor the cost of coaching into an applicant’s salary, so don’t hesitate to negotiate around this, if the idea is appealing to you.
2. You want to level up.
Maybe you’re feeling bored or stagnant in your position, and you want to level up! A career coach is a good choice if you’re seeking a different type of leadership role within your sector or if you want to develop new skills and become a competitive candidate for an advanced role.
3. You want a change – but aren’t sure what that change is.
Maybe you’re feeling like the growth trajectory for your current role doesn’t seem as exciting as it used to. You know you need a change – but you aren’t sure what that change would look like. A nonprofit career coach can help you get clear on your wants and don’t-wants and help you decide which new direction to take.
4. You want to present yourself more confidently.
Most of us want to present confidently and authentically – and we tend to accept that most great leaders do this well. A nonprofit career coach can help you focus on your professional demeanor and identify areas of growth so you can become a successful leader.
5. You need help clarifying your career goals and laying out a clear path.
Maybe you know exactly what you want to be and where you want to end up in your career – but the how-to is a little fuzzy! A career coach can help you both better articulate your goals and identify the steps you need to take to get there.
6. You want to strengthen your leadership to better serve your community.
Nonprofit career coaches excel in helping leaders tackle both the day-to-day and strategic challenges of running a successful organization that serves its community well. Whether you’re feeling totally overwhelmed or like your leadership could just use a bit of fine-tuning, a coach can help you strengthen your ability to consistently lead your organization and show up for your community.
Choose a nonprofit career coach who will support you.
Remember – not every coach will be a good fit for you! Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions during your initial consultation, and make sure you feel like the vibe is right. Coaching is an investment in your success and future, and there’s no harm in being picky about who you work with!
