Several years ago, a coach said to me “you can’t read the label from inside the jar.”
In other words, it’s hard to get perspective on ourselves. We’re too close to our own assumptions, habits, fears and blind spots. That’s one reason even coaches need coaches.
I’ve benefited enormously from working with four coaches over the years. Today, I’m also part of a peer group of coaches where we talk candidly about challenges, exchange ideas and help each other see things we might be missing.
For lawyers, asking for help can be particularly difficult. The profession rewards confidence, self-reliance and having the answers. Displaying vulnerability doesn’t always come naturally.
That can keep lawyers from seeking help when they’re struggling with their careers or trying to build their practices. Those are areas where an experienced coach can provide perspective, accountability and a sounding board.
But sometimes coaching isn’t what’s needed. Stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and substance use are real issues in the legal profession. When those are the challenges, getting appropriate professional support matters.
If you or a lawyer you know could use that kind of help, every state has a lawyer assistance program. In my neck of the woods Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Massachusetts provides free and confidential support for members of the legal community experiencing mental health challenges..
And if the challenge is figuring out where you want your career to go, how to get unstuck, or how to build your practice, coaching may be worth considering.
Sometimes you just need someone outside the jar.
If you want to talk about whether coaching is right for you, I offer free consultations. You can sign up here.
See also Looking For an Attorney Coach? Thinking of Becoming a Coach?