UnCoachable in 4 Easy Steps

          You're ready to invite someone in to help you find your way to your dream success.  Whether you are just starting your business, or you've been at it for years, you have finally reached the point where you are ready to pay someone to guide you through the next phase.
          There are lots of business coaches out there, with expertise in a variety of backgrounds and many different approaches.  There's sure to be one that fits you.  If you love seeing your coach and you want your coaching to drag on, keep reading.  If you have no tolerance for change, but you heard that having a coach makes great conversation at parties, keep reading.  If you stubbornly insist on hiring a coach, but not to improve your business, here are a few things to do:

1. Argue.  When your coach offers direction, argue.  Bring up articles you've read, point out all of the ways that you cannot take the action suggested, and tell the coach how hard it is to follow through.  After all, this is your business, you know what you are doing, and who are they, anyways?  
2. Don't do it.  You can accomplish this many ways.  You can discuss the direction at length, you can simply ignore it, or you can even nod vigorously and do nothing.  Whatever you choose, do not move in the direction the coach has suggested.  Everyone knows that change is dangerous, you're just preserving your business.
3. Redirect.  Coaches love it when you share what you learned from someone else, especially if it is out of context and completely contradicts what you've learned from your current coach.  It is your responsibility to be a well-informed participant, and to look at all sides.  Magazine articles and blogs are an excellent, in-depth source of knowledge.  You can use this information to coach your coach (they really love that).  Taking action on this new learning is the way to go, the more it differs from the coaching you've received, the better.
4. Cry.  If you have a coach who actually cares about your success, there will be times when the coach will put a lot of pressure on you.  The coach may launch into locker room language and say things like, "Do you want to be the best?"  The coach may refer to this as "tough love."  Do not be fooled, this is badgering, plain and simple.  That approach to motivation and team spirit only works in commercials.  When the coach gets in your face, break down in tears.  If you have tried the other steps, this should completely derail the coaching program.

One final thing to note:  to keep your coach invested in you, you will have to contact them after completing one of these steps.  Wait until the action is irrevocable, then pepper your conversation with apologies and justification.