We invest in coaches to elevate our performance or “up our game” in various areas of life – whether it’s a golf coach, a tutor, a Pilates lesson, personal trainer, financial advisors, etc. Yet, when it comes to our careers—arguably the source of the highest potential ROI—many overlook the value of professional coaching.

Investing in career coaching is a strategic decision to gain insights, understand your potential, and maximize your professional environment. Over the last couple of years, we have seen work dynamics shift, causing a surge in demand for career coaching. Much of this demand is due to the competitive landscape, evolving organizational needs, and growing autonomy with gig and hybrid work environments.

When and Why You Should Invest in a Career Coach

As a leader, your responsibilities are extensive—serving clients, growing your business, managing teams, developing future leaders, coming up with solutions to organizational issues, and the list goes on. This is a lot to take on, but you don’t have to do it alone. As my friend and colleague, Gary Thomson, so put it, “As humans, we think we can do everything and solve our own problems. Unfortunately, that’s a recipe for disaster.”

When

Leaders should regularly seek counsel, mentorship, and insight as part of their development. However, there are key inflection points at which career coaching becomes indispensable.

  • Transitioning to a leadership role or managing a new team.
  • Preparing for a promotion or pivot in your career.
  • Defining your professional brand for growth within your organization and industry.
  • Aligning your firm’s vision and culture with the overall strategy.

Why

Engaging a career coach offers a range of advantages:

  • Differentiation: Develop strategies that set you and your team apart while fostering a strong, cohesive culture.
  • Acceleration: Define and align your career and firm trajectory with measurable and achievable goals.
  • Opportunity: Uncover paths and initiatives for yourself and your firm.
  • Strategic Evaluation: Gaining an independent perspective to help you see the big picture can help you grow as a leader and a firm.
  • Preparation: Anticipate and navigate key professional milestones, from promotions to organizational changes.

Are you ready to invest in a Career Coach?

Having sat in your seat and navigated similar challenges, Thomson Consulting brings a seasoned perspective with over a combined 60 years of experience in start-up to global organizations. We understand the complexities of leadership and can provide actionable strategies to empower your career, your team, and your firm’s growth.

Perspective Comes from Experience

Our experience spans firm leadership, finance, operations, audit, and regulatory compliance leadership and coaching roles. Here’s what we bring to the table:

  • Founded and led a Global Advisory Practice for a top 10 firm, expanding into multiple markets and services while acquiring 250 clients with zero service turnover.
  • Mentored and developed over 40 top-performing partners, ranking in the top 5% of the firm.
  • Drove high-performing teams with innovative recruitment, retention, and coaching strategies.
  • Designed leadership programs for managing partners and emerging leaders.
  • Repositioned firms for favorable mergers and acquisitions.
  • Led an international advisory P&L to 60% year-over-year growth for 10 years.

This breadth of experience positions us to offer an independent, informed perspective tailored to your unique career and firm goals.

The Path to Growth and Success

Advancing your career and growing your firm isn’t a solo journey. It requires planning, strategy, and often guidance to help navigate complexities and opportunities. “Being in the right place at the right time” is not a reliable game plan. A career coach serves as your partner, helping you grow, develop, and strategically position yourself and your firm for success.

At Thomson Consulting, we help firm leaders transition into their new roles, navigate industry disruptions, find solutions to problems, and reach clarity on their goals for themselves and their firms.