I was stood in the office kitchen making a round of tea for some of the team when it hit me.
Business coaching is a lot like a cup of tea.
I like my tea with a small splash of milk.
My executive assistant at the time liked her milk with a small splash of tea.
Same ingredients. A very different experience.
That's coaching in two lines. Everybody gets the same basic ingredients, and nobody wants them made the same way.
The slightly nerdy version
If you've got another minute, here's the longer explanation. Because once I started, I couldn't stop seeing it.
The base. A good cup of tea starts with good tea. Business coaching starts with a foundation of knowledge and experience. An experienced coach brings tools and techniques that have been tested with lots of businesses before yours.
The blend. Different teas need different blends. In the same way, every client is different and deserves an approach built around them. A good coach blends what they know with a real understanding of your goals, your strengths and the challenges in front of you. Two businesses in the same industry can need completely different plans.
The brewing. Tea needs time to brew. Pull the bag out too early and you've got weak, disappointing tea. Coaching is the same. Real change needs time for reflection and growth. The relationship between coach and client gets better the longer it's given, and so do the results.
The temperature. Not everyone likes their tea piping hot. Some like it warm. Some (strange people) like it iced. Coaching has to adapt to how each person learns and works best. Some people want a push. Some need a bit of space. Getting that balance right is what keeps people engaged.
The smell. The smell of a freshly made cup of tea sets the mood before you've even taken a sip. In coaching, that's the trust and rapport you build. When people feel comfortable, they're honest. When they're honest, you can actually help.
A lot of business advice is one size fits all. Read the book, follow the steps, get the result. And the steps are often good. But the person reading them has their own team, their own market, their own history and their own way of making decisions.
That's why I'm always a bit suspicious of anyone who has the answer before they've asked a single question. You wouldn't hand someone a cup of tea without asking how they take it.
Next time you're making a round, have a look at the mugs. Same kettle, same tea bags, and probably no two the same. And I have to know. How do you take yours?
