Biggest Challenges Faced By An Executive Leadership Coach At HED Space Coaching
Cheddy's biggest challenge as an executive leadership coach is transitioning from a "captive audience" in government and military work to attracting clients in the civilian sector, requiring marketing and outreach skills they didn't previously need. This necessitates continuous learning and development in areas like marketing and business operations to ensure consistent revenue and maintain a fulfilling career serving clients.
Executive/Leadership, Marketing, Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Self-Promotion
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Cheddy Matthews
Executive Leadership Coach
HED Space Coaching
NC State University 2000
UCLA EMBA 2024
Political Science, American Studies
Coaching, Speaking & Writing
Strategic Management and Executive
Disabled, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Developing marketing and outreach strategies to attract clients is a significant challenge, requiring a shift from a captive audience to actively engaging potential clients.
2. Balancing the need to market oneself with providing high-quality coaching services is crucial for success and maintaining a sustainable income.
3. Outsourcing and continuous learning are important for addressing skill gaps in areas like marketing, which may not be inherent strengths for an executive coach.
Transcript
What are some of the biggest challenges as an executive coach?
This is a great question, and well played. For me, it comes down to the difference between what I know how to do and what I don't. My life has given me certain tools along the way.
I spent a long time in the federal government and the US military. That's a captive audience; if you tell people to show up, they will. If you tell them to do something, they'll do it. It's very easy.
Then you get to the civilian side of the world, where people do whatever they want. They have a vote in this; it's not like saying "Yes, sir" or "No, sir." It's more like, "Be there in the morning. Why?" or "I'll be someone else."
Now I have to market and attract people in a way I didn't have to before. I can't just tell people to show up to my podcast or sign up. I can't tell you to do things and expect you to do them. I have to find a way to let you know that I have the solution to the situation, problem, or issue you're dealing with.
I am the penicillin for the illness you're experiencing; I'm the painkiller for your pain. That's me; I'm that guy. But now I have to tell people that. Before, it seemed like people just found me.
Now it requires me to go out. If I don't go out enough, I'm like a secret agent. And if I don't go out today, I'll notice it in six months. So if there's something I want to do in six months, and my revenue hasn't kept up, it's because I didn't get out there.
I have to keep meeting people and having meaningful conversations that can change their lives, so I can enjoy my livelihood and support the people I love. I want them to have what they want, and I want to live my life and serve at the level I like to serve. It really comes down to me and the people in marketing, and things I don't know how to do intrinsically or based on my life experience.
I just don't know how to do these things. Going to school has helped with learning this, and outsourcing has helped. Systems have helped, but I wish I was better in this space.