I’ll Be There When They’re Ready

by on October 26, 2011

I remember when I was in training for my coaching certification, a discussion came up as our instructors were preparing the group to move from the classroom out into the world of actually working with clients.  It was explained to the students that in the profession for which we were being trained, that a great deal of trust was needed on behalf of the client before they would actually commit to a coaching relationship with us.  That trust would be gained as the client had an opportunity to hear us speak in front of groups or in a one on one conversation directly with us.  They might gain that comfort by reading something we had written.  Or, they might gain it by speaking with a friend or acquaintance that had worked with us.

One other thing we were counseled on was that we may never know when someone might reach out to us.   Sometimes those reach outs might occur after someone had been in contact with us many months before, again perhaps at a speaking event or in a chance encounter.  What was made clear to us was that while we might be ready when initially speaking to an individual about a potential coaching relationship, they may not be.  Therefore, we were guided to always be prepared, present our best self, periodically follow-up or check in to see how the individual was progressing and most of all to be ready to be there when a client was ready to reach out to us.

While it has taken awhile I have begun to see this guidance begin to come to fruition.  In recent weeks some terrific individuals have come into my life that I have the privilege to work with as they move forward to the next phase of their life.  They’re bright people who are asking to have someone hold them accountable for the actions to which they commit and for suggestions on what are seen as the best ways to approach their journey, (particularly in the world of career change).  I on the other hand learn from each of them in several ways.  The first learning comes when I saw the value of being patient and that the clients I am meant to serve would come my way.  Secondly, their passion for the careers they are pursuing is exhilarating as they look to not only make a living, but do it at something they truly want to do.  Additionally, just about all are exploring career areas that I may never have explored for myself, but by working with them, I’m learning so much about each of the fields they are exploring and how what they are looking to do in those career changes will benefit so many others.

The other analogy that came to me in these recent realizations is how they actually tie in many respects to the job search process itself in which I have been trained.  A job search campaign is a tedious process.  Particularly in today’s economy it can take several months, and sometimes now even over a year to find the position that is right for you.  However, those who ultimately succeed need to exhibit many of the same traits I was taught in terms of what it might take for clients to emerge in my life.

First off a good deal of preparation goes into putting your message together and making sure those who are meant to hear it know what it is you offer.  In a job search campaign that involves hours of research both in book and one on one contact form learning as much as you can about the career you are looking to pursue.  Even those who have been in a particular career for a long time benefit from researching current trends about what is going on in the profession.  Once knowing what one wants to do, there is the preparation around presenting oneself so that people both understand what it is that they offer, but how they have demonstrated they have the necessary skills to do the job.   That preparation manifests itself in one properly presenting themselves in their two minute verbal pitch, the summary of their resume’ and their cover letters for interviews.  Even once one gets their search going in earnest they may find they have all the qualifications, but that hiring managers do not have an opening at that time for them. This in turn requires they continue to follow-up, and reach out continually to remind those whom they are looking to possibly hire them to remember that they are there and  they have something of value to offer.

The best scenario for the job seeker, much like the coach who makes an impression on a potential client, is when they hear the words I would love to hire you if I just had an opening, (or in the case of the coach, if I was just ready to commit to the coaching relationship).  That means you are making an impression on those you are looking to serve.  It is only a matter of time, as long as you continue on the same prepared path, that you are going to meet that company or client that is going to want to work with you and is looking to make use of what you have to offer.

And, while it can be tough to put in so much preparation and wait for that moment to come, when it does, and it works well, it can be so very gratifying.  So, if you are putting a good deal of effort into either your job search campaign, starting up your own business and looking for those initial customers or whatever pursuit you may undertake, if you really believe in what you are looking to do and have to offer you must realize that patience must be part of the process. Your timetable may not always be in sync with those you are looking to serve.  However, if you can instill into yourself the following thought it will help you be able to push forward.  That thought is “I’ll be there when they’re ready.”

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