Should your business coach be an advocate or an adversary?

Richard Tyson 

It was early in the month of April when my phone rang. I knew who it was, even before I answered. The familiar voice said the words that I had expected: “Joe needs you here right away. How soon can you come?”

My client had just emerged from his quarterly board meeting, and he was feeling very beaten up. The phone call was from his secretary, who had come to recognize that, as his coach, I filled an important role in helping him deal with the challenges of leading his company. That role was especially important in helping him rise and recharge after what was often a very tough review with his board.

I met with Joe a few hours after the phone call. He shared the stress he was Please log in to see the rest of this story.