How Professionals Improve: The Power of Coaching

How Professionals Improve: The Power of Coaching

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

 

The Traditional View vs. The Sports Perspective

When it comes to professionals getting better at what they do, there are two main views. The traditional view suggests that individuals go through formal education, study, practice, and eventually make their way in the world on their own. This is the path followed by doctors, lawyers, scientists, and many others.

On the other hand, the sports perspective argues that nobody is ever truly done learning and improving. Even the greatest athletes in the world have coaches to guide them. This raises an interesting question: should professionals in other fields also have coaches?

The Absurdity of Coaching for Experts

As a surgeon, the idea of paying someone to come into my operating room and observe and critique me initially seemed absurd. After all, expertise is often associated with not needing external guidance or coaching.

However, upon further reflection, I realized that there are inherent problems with the “making it on your own” approach. When you’re solely focused on your own progress, it’s easy to overlook the issues that may be hindering your improvement. And even if you do recognize these issues, you may not know how to effectively address them.

As a result, there comes a point in your professional journey where you stop improving. This was a realization I personally experienced as a surgeon.

The Eye-Opening Observation

In an effort to break free from my plateau, I reached out to my former professor, Bob Osteen, and asked him to observe me in the operating room. I anticipated that the first case would go smoothly, expecting little feedback. However, to my surprise, Bob had an entire page filled with dense notes.

He pointed out seemingly small things that I hadn’t noticed, such as the light swinging out of the wound during the procedure, or how my elbow would occasionally rise in the air, indicating a lack of full control. It was a whole new level of awareness.

Bob’s observations were a clear demonstration of what great coaches do. They act as our external eyes and ears, providing a more accurate picture of our reality. Coaches recognize the fundamentals, break down our actions, and help us build them back up again.

The Power of Coaching

After just two months of coaching, I noticed myself improving once again. And after a year, I saw a significant drop in complications during surgeries.

However, I won’t deny that the process was challenging. Being observed and critiqued wasn’t always pleasant, and there were times when I didn’t feel like working on specific areas of improvement. Moreover, there were periods where I actually regressed before making progress. But overall, the experience made me realize that coaches were onto something profoundly important.

It’s not just about how good you are at the present moment; it’s about how good you can become.

Conclusion

Contrary to the traditional view that professionals can make it on their own, the sports perspective emphasizes the value of coaching. Even the most accomplished individuals in their respective fields can benefit from external guidance and critique.

Coaches serve as our external eyes and ears, helping us recognize the issues standing in our way and providing valuable feedback. They break down our actions, allowing us to rebuild them more effectively. The result is continuous improvement and growth.

So, whether you’re a surgeon, lawyer, scientist, or any other professional, consider embracing the power of coaching. It may be the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving greatness in your field.

Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2024 

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