Roberta Matuson on Why Leaders Need Coaching Now, Not Later

In a recent LinkedIn post, Roberta Matuson discusses the common hesitation leaders experience when considering executive coaching and argues for its immediate necessity rather than deferral. Matuson highlights a disconnect many high-achievers feel, where despite outward success, a deeper sense of stagnation or a lack of forward momentum persists.

The Leader’s Dilemma: Success Without Advancement

Matuson identifies a common paradox for successful leaders: they are achieving results but not necessarily progressing or leading impactful movements. This often leads to the consideration of hiring a coach, yet many leaders postpone this decision, citing various reasons.

“You’re leading meetings, not movements. People nod, but don’t follow through. You’re delivering results, but not advancing.”

This observation from Matuson points to a critical gap between managing operations and truly inspiring and directing a team toward future growth. According to Matuson, this is the precise moment when leaders typically begin to contemplate the value of external guidance.

Deferring Coaching: A Costly Mistake

The post details the common tendency for leaders to delay engaging a coach, often waiting for opportune moments that never materialize. Matuson critically examines these postponements, suggesting they are based on a misunderstanding of what coaching truly offers.

“And then… they wait. Next quarter. After the reorg. When things ‘settle down.’ (They never do.)”

As Matuson points out, the idea that external circumstances will align perfectly for coaching is a fallacy. The business environment is characterized by continuous change, making proactive development through coaching more crucial than ever.

Coaching as Leverage, Not a Perk

Matuson strongly refutes the notion that coaching is a mere benefit or perk, reframing it as a strategic tool for competitive advantage. The core of her argument is that coaching provides leaders with the essential support to enhance their decision-making capabilities and overcome personal blind spots.

“Coaching isn’t a perk. It’s leverage. It’s how great leaders sharpen judgment, cut blind spots, and stay ahead of the curve.”

In Matuson’s view, embracing coaching is a proactive step towards continuous improvement and maintaining a leading edge in a dynamic professional landscape. She encourages leaders who have been contemplating coaching to move beyond consideration and take decisive action.

Matuson concludes by urging leaders to move past deliberation and engage with resources that can facilitate their development. She promotes taking immediate action, such as booking a fit call to secure current pricing for future services, emphasizing that the time to invest in leadership growth is now.