By Candy Webb
Network Marketing Editor
When do you become “the coach”? When is it that you are qualified to take on the responsibility of helping others in our networking industry plan and execute their organizational structure and goal framework?” Well, the interesting answer is that you are “the coach” almost immediately in network marketing – in fact as soon as you sponsor someone into your organization. And the awful truth of that is it is very unlikely that you are at all qualified to be the coach. You are thrust in that role most frequently before being prepared – and that’s just the way things are!
From your first entry into the company, people are watching you. The upline are watching you to see if you have the “right stuff”. The people you brought in are watching you to determine whether or not you know what you are talking about. Because of this scrutiny, it is very important that you begin to take on the affect of the coach, again, before you have all the answers. But, I will warn you, if you do have access to a good, qualified coach – hang on! And leverage off that person’s experience with all the new people you introduce. Don’t be caught in the trap of trying to do it all yourself or reinvent the wheel – Use the expert!
I think the purpose of a coach in our industry, at least the objectives I have in coaching are to do three main things: First, of course INSTRUCTION. No matter how savvy a business person the new networker is, if they have not done network marketing before, they are a novice and need direction. Even if they have previous experience, I find quite frequently they may have learned some bad habits and need redirections, or the differences in the companies may be so strong that they need a lot of additional instruction. Instruction on the product line, the compensation plan, the tools available, the specific approaches that work – all of these are vital.
Second, a coach needs to provide INSPIRATION. This is different from motivation. Motivation has to come from within the new person – they must have their own driving goals, their own sense of “why they want to be successful and what they want to achieve. But as a coach, you can absolutely provide the inspiration to keep them going on the right path. Inspiration comes from seeing and this is where the old mantra “lead by example” really comes into play. They must see you exhibiting the same activities, and traits that you are teaching them and they must see you succeeding. Nothing else is more important.
The third major activity of the coach is to provide an ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER. Even the most motivated, most inspired new distributor will have down times. They will have times that they doubt they can be successful and it is key that the coach step in and “notice” when they are not making the grade. Results need to be monitored, and so agreed-upon activities must be established with some measurable milestones. And the coach needs to gently hold the new persons feet to the fire – TO ACHIEVE THEIR OWN GOALS. Remember, no one will join you because you want them to, they will only join you if it provides value for them. They must have a goal of value and you can help them be accountable to that goal. Challenging them to live up to their own dreams can be done without rebuking them and it is essential.
John Wooden, the great winning basketball coach of UCLA talked about “preparation and discipline” when asked about how he had winning season after winning season. Preparation and discipline – think about it – setting the standard (the goal) and then the discipline to follow through (the accountability). The same pattern needs to be established to have network marketing success. Coach Wooden also talked about focusing on only what he could control – what a great concept. Too many people focus on all the exterior factors that they cannot control and don’t do the things they can control in our industry like making the agreed-upon amount of phone calls, introducing the target number of new people to the company through the meetings they hold. Monitor and perform the activities that are within your control and success is just around the corner!
It is important for all of us to understand that there is very little “luck” in network marketing. There is preparation, conditioning, discipline and persistence. Luck is for the lottery. I personally have made my millions the sure way and the only reliable way – Preparation, conditioning, discipline and persistence. These four traits will not fail you! Add to that practice, practice, practice and you’ve got the formula.
The essence of leadership is example. When you are leading by example, doing all the right things, the effect you will produce is like the coals in a hibachi where every coal touching you feeds off your fire and ignites. Think of that picture, it is exactly what happens. That leadership by example is the mark of a true coach.
As you mature in your network marketing business, remember I am always there to answer any questions that pop up for you – after twenty years at the top I have probably been through any situation you are experiencing; let me help. As always, I am your willing
Network Marketing Coach,
Candy Webb
916 408-3637
Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
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