I’m a “Coach-sultant” … but what IS that?!
In my 20s, when people asked what I did for work, I answered “teacher” –and they got it. (Or they thought they did, at least!)
Later, when my answer was “Principal,” people got it. (or again, thought they did!)
A few years later, when I said a founded a school, that usually elicited a “wow!” and some follow-up questions.
Now, when people ask me what I do, my shorthand answer is “I’m a coach-sultant”--and I get a confused look!
Yes Britney— that’s the look I get when I say I’m a coach-sultant!
So perhaps, an explanation is helpful.
Here’s how I think about it:
A coach is someone who :
shows up,
asks lots of great questions,
is like your personal cheerleader and accountability buddy–
and helps you come up with the list that needs to be done to help you advance towards your goals.
I always left my own sessions I had with my coaches with greater clarity, which was awesome–and a growing to-do list, which was… not as awesome, even though they were highly impactful to-do’s.
A consultant is someone who:
shows up,
impresses you with all their fancy insight,
can show you some really cool tools that make your job easier and
leaves you with an amazing plan.
Whenever I worked with these folks in my school, I’d think both, “This is great–I can’t wait to show it off!” and have many questions like, “Will this actually work though?” or, “What happens when this person on my team says, “I can’t agree to that?”
Early on in starting my business, I realized that the perfect world combines a great plan based in a deep and nuanced understanding of the current reality (which is a consultant’s speciality) PLUS implementation support all the way through making the plan come to life (which a coach excels at). So I thought, why not be a coach-sultant and combine these?!
And…that’s what I do now as a “coach-sultant.”
I do the research, I write and administer the surveys, I conduct the focus groups, I test hypotheses, I lead the planning, I make the slide deck –basically, I take the lead on the work, digging to do whatever it takes to solve a particular problem that my clients need some outside perspective, expertise and capacity with in their role as a senior leader who works through layers.
Once we align on a great plan, I’m right there to make sure they can implement it successfully. We roleplay conversations, rehearse staff meetings, draft and refine communications, strategize approaches—we take the plan I’ve created and then work to implement it, navigating the eventual bumps in the road in even the best-laid plan. By the time our engagement ends, we have identified the root causes, created a vision to work towards, written a comprehensive plan to get that to that desired state and started down the road of implementing it. Often, clients will continue to draw on me as an executive coach as they continue the work that we started together.
I always tell people they are special and their mission is special, but they are not unique. Their problems? Somebody else has had them. I don't know if I've ever seen anything in my time 25+ years in education or my time working all the clients that I have either not experienced myself or supported someone who's gone through it. The experience I can bring to support you is key. The time and organized support I spend alongside you is critical.
It’s not about reinventing the wheel, or creating this “perfect plan.” It’s about looking at what works and what doesn’t. It’s about leveraging external advice and expert knowledge and tools available , and having a good plan that is actionable. Give me an actionable workable plan anyday over a “perfect plan” that never gets done and is just collecting dust in a folder somewhere. Not only do we have a plan—it comes with the support make it happen with you.
If you’re curious to learn more about the ways we can work together and how I can bring my 25+ experience to your school or organization, take a look at my services HERE and book a call if you want to talk about what this could look like at your organization.