What Makes Someone a Great Guide?

Sooner or later each of us faces life situations that are beyond our knowledge or experience to handle on our own. What do you do or where do you go when you don’t know what to do next?

 Depending on who you are, you might seek advice from a friend, a mentor or a family member. Or you might try to find instructions on how to solve your problem online or from a book at a bookstore or library. As a last resort, and if your pride doesn’t get in the way, you might seek the help of an expert or “guide”. 

In any of these scenarios you’re hoping that the person or source of your solution understands you as a unique individual, can empathize with your situation, and will give you solid direction or advice. But the reality is that each of us is taking a gamble when we try to get answers to important questions from our personal circle or a self-help source.

 People, books, or online articles always have their own biases. The people we go to for help will invariably have their own experiences, life history, and perspective that they will rely on for their answers. In some situations, such as with parents or family members, they may also have an agenda (such as our safety and security) and in others they may a personal agenda (such as their own aspirations or ego) that influences their answers.

It’s also worthwhile to understand that odds are that the people in your personal circle aren’t wired like you, so they won’t necessarily understand you, your problem, or approach problem solving and take action steps in ways that fit you. It’s no wonder that we get frustrated and disillusioned when our attempts to get answers and solve problems don’t work.

I can understand why you might think I just disqualified myself (and anyone else) from your consideration as a guide for your career or life questions or business problems, but there are advantages a qualified guide has over the people and resources to whom we often reflexively look for help.

First, they’re committed to your success. A qualified guide isn’t just in the work to make a living. They do what they do because they empathize with your situation and have a sense of calling and purpose to help you make your way through them to a better place. Their motivation is always your success.  

Second, they have an objective, informed, and wise view of your situation. What makes a guide “qualified” isn’t simply book knowledge or years of experience, it’s an understanding of how those things can be a framework to shed light on your unique situation and help you make your way through it. Wisdom is experience teaching us how best to use knowledge, and when you’re choosing a guide you want someone who knows exactly when to apply the right piece of knowledge custom fit to your life.

Third, a guide’s commitment is open-ended. Human beings are always “in-process” and evolving, so great guides maintain a commitment to your success regardless of the time it takes.  New challenges emerge, crises occur, life is always changing, and so must you if you want a great life. A great guide doesn’t wander off into the sunset after she or he helps you through a great challenge, they make themselves available for the new challenges and crises that are sure to come.

Why I am a Guide

I became a career and business coach because I experienced struggles, trials, and emotional challenges on my career path, and I didn’t want anyone else to needlessly go through the same painful experiences. I have more education that any person in their right mind should ever want, but I take pains to fully understand you, so that I can provide you with guidance that fits you and ensures your success. Although I take each client through a defined process with a distinct beginning and goals, I’ve maintained coaching relationships for years with clients and have helped them two, four, and even twelve or more years after our initial work together. A successful life isn’t time-limited.

I’m always willing to talk with folks about the challenges they’re facing and decisions they’re trying to make regarding their careers or their businesses. I meet with people (for free) face-to-face, by video chat, and through phone calls to see if there’s a way I can help. I can be reached here.