Do you ever feel like you are capable of more: more growth, more impact, more success, but you cannot quite put your finger on what that next level looks like yet?

That is often the moment when coaching becomes powerful.

The leaders and business owners I work with are already achieving at a high level, and they recognize they have reached a point where ambition and effort are not enough on their own. They are looking for a trusted partner to help them think bigger, plan smarter, and execute more consistently.

WHAT COACHING REALLY IS

When you partner with the right coach, you gain a powerful combination of clarity, accountability, and strategy. Coaching gives you the space to think about the big picture, work through challenges, and see opportunities you might miss on your own.

The way I work with clients blends coaching and consulting. Sometimes you need the right question to unlock your own thinking. Other times, you need a proven framework, structure, or even a direct suggestion. Most high achievers want both.

One theme that stood out in my Think Like a CEO podcast series was that every leader I interviewed had guidance along the way. They had mentors, advisors, and coaches who helped them grow into their success.

And I can say the same from my own journey. I have worked with three different coaches at various points in my career, each for a different reason.

• My first coach helped me clarify my career vision while I was still in financial services and gave me the confidence to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
• My second coach came into the picture six months into running my business when I realized I needed a thought partner who understood my world.
• My third coach reached out with ideas that immediately resonated. I knew she could help me build strategy and plan ahead, and I hired her on the spot.

Each season required something different. Coaching helps you grow and evolve, giving you the clarity and structure to keep advancing toward what is next.

Sometimes coaching has a clear endpoint, like achieving a specific goal or launching a new initiative. Other times, it becomes a long-term partnership that gives you consistent space to think, plan, and stay accountable as you grow.

So how do you know if it is time to hire a coach?

Here are four powerful signals:

1. You Feel Untapped Potential

This is the biggest sign. You have a relentless sense that you are capable of more and you are ready to do the work to unlock it.

Some of my clients begin coaching with a clear vision of what they want to achieve. One client knew she wanted to become a managing partner. Together, we built the strategy, systems, and mindset to help her reach that goal. Years later, we continue to work together as she grows and leads at a higher level.

Others do not always articulate their vision right away. One client realized during our work together that she was actually building a company. It took time and confidence to say it out loud. Coaching gave her the space and support to claim that bigger vision.

And for some, the vision evolves as they grow. Coaching creates the clarity and confidence to adjust along the way.

You do not need to have everything figured out to start. You just need to feel that pull for more and be willing to explore it.

2. You Are Willing to Invest in Yourself

Potential does not unlock itself. Coaching requires two commitments: time and money.

Time to pause, reflect, and think strategically, even when you are busy. And financial investment to work with someone who can accelerate your growth.

When I hired my first coach, I was a W-2 employee. I did not have unlimited earning potential, but I bet on myself and used bonuses to pay for coaching. That investment paid off because it changed the way I led, thought, and made decisions.

Clients who get the most from coaching view it as an investment in their growth, not an expense to justify.

3. You Have Something You Want to Work Toward

You do not have to have every detail figured out, but you do need something you are striving for.

Many of my clients start coaching with a clear, measurable goal. They want to grow revenue to a new level, achieve a significant milestone, or expand the impact of their business. Others begin with broader aspirations like leading more effectively, developing their team, or creating more structure in their business. Regardless of the goal, what matters most is the drive to keep growing and the willingness to do the work to get there.

Coaching accelerates that progress because it helps you focus on what truly moves the needle and holds you accountable to follow through.

You do not hire a coach because you are lost. You hire a coach because you are going somewhere and you want to get there faster, smarter, and with more confidence.

4. You Are Ready for Accountability

Untapped potential only becomes realized potential when you take action.

Many clients tell me, “I would not have taken that step if it was not for our coaching call.” That accountability turns vision into progress and progress into results.

But there is a nuance here. Not everyone who says they want accountability is ready for it.

Growth can feel uncomfortable. Coaching works best when you are willing to be challenged, to take ownership, and to stay consistent even when it is inconvenient.

So ask yourself:

• Are you more frustrated by staying the same than by the idea of change?
• Have you realized you have hit a ceiling doing it your way?
• Are you ready to trade excuses for ownership?

If you are nodding along, those are strong signals you are ready to lean into the discomfort that comes with growth. Coaching is not about comfort. It is about progress.

Why Coaching Works

At its core, coaching provides what high achievers rarely have: space to think.

Space to step back from the whirlwind of activity and ask:

• Am I working on the right things?
• Am I leading with clarity?
• Am I aligned with my long-term vision?

When you combine that space with accountability and strategy, the result is accelerated growth.

If you recognize that you are ready for coaching, email me at meet@kristinburke.com to explore if one on one coaching is right for you. Our work together will help you think bigger, stay focused, and achieve meaningful results with clarity and confidence.