The Importance Of Coaching

Never C.L.I.M.B. Alone

By Ryan Knight, DC

All great athletes have a coach — someone to provide constructive feedback to keep them at the top of their game.

Although most are probably better at the sport than their coach, athletes are humble enough to know they can still learn from their coach.

Most would agree that whether you are golfing or mountain climbing, it is never a good idea — or as much fun — to go it alone. If you want to improve in an activity or sport, you would ideally want to partner with a coach that pushes you to better yourself and keeps you on track if you get off course.

A good coach can help you harness the strengths you already have and develop new strengths needed to achieve your goals and dreams. Someone once said, “To be good is not enough when you dream of being great.”

Be all you can be

Many doctors have given up their dreams of greatness and settled for good. They often think as long as they are “bigger” than the guy down the street, they are successful. The truth is, they are probably just an average-size fish in a small pond.

Real success is in becoming everything you were meant to be. Not sure if you are there yet? The test is easy — if the life you currently live does not match the dream in your heart, you were meant for more. Success is the journey toward reaching your full potential and a good coach will help you travel this path faster.

The truth is there is a recession, and the path toward success may have a few more obstacles and pitfalls — but this can also be an exciting time. Throughout history, there has been some of the greatest transfers of wealth in a down economy.

C.L.I.M.B. to success

You can still reach the summit of success if you team up with a coach that knows the path well and knows how to C.L.I.M.B.

Competence. A competent coach can help you accelerate your success. A good coach is someone who has traveled the path to success and has systematically marked the way so it will be easier for others to follow.

Leadership. It has been said that one way to tell if you are a leader is to look behind you and see if anyone is following. A coach that is a true leader is someone you will want to follow. Look behind that coach and see who is following him or her. Are the followers successful?

Integrity. A good coach will only lead you in a path of integrity. As a doctor, you should follow someone that will help you build a reputation of integrity for your practice and the profession. Remember, the right thing to do is always the right thing to do. You can have success and integrity at the same time!

Mentor. You will want to follow someone that is truly a mentor. A mentor is generally a trusted friend, counselor, or teacher that is usually a more experienced person. In other words, someone you can trust to practice what they preach, and someone you can follow with confidence.

A true mentor is a role model that possesses the communication skills to develop and inspire others to reach their potential.

Balance. A great coach will lead you down the path of balanced success in your personal and professional life. Balance is essential for success to be fulfilling.

The truth is, it will not matter if you are a huge success professionally if it costs you everything that really matters, such as family and friends.

Few doctors ever reach the summit of their true potential or achieve their dreams because they try to cut a new path to success. Don’t be afraid to dream. Dreams really can come true.

Find a great coach to lead you on the path toward your success and remember — never C.L.I.M.B. alone!

Ryan Knight, DC, is a speaker and senior coach with Integrity Management, and is co-author of the book 15 Winning Ways to Better Living. He can be reached at 800-843-9162 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .