Who’s In Your Corner: How Mentors, Consultants, and Coaches Shape Your Leadership Growth

Being a great athlete can lay the groundwork for becoming a coach. However, being an exceptionally talented athlete? That can actually hold you back.

The same applies to coaching experience. Coaching for 10, 20, or 30 years might provide you with a wealth of knowledge, but it can also be one of your greatest limiters—if you let it.

Why? Because experience and success can make you think you're always right—after all, you’ve been through it all, right? It’s a mental trap. The more you rely on your past, the less open you are to new ideas, different perspectives, and the evolution of your approach.

I speak from experience. Early in my career, I believed my talent as a player and my international experience as a coach validated every decision I made. I thought others should follow me simply because of my background. But that mindset doesn't promote growth—it stifles it. If you’re serious about being a high-performing leader, you need input from people who aren’t in your situation. Nobody grows in isolation.

The Power of Wisdom from Others

Recently, I had the chance to interview Dr. Michael Gervais, a leading performance psychologist, on the Coaching Culture podcast. He broke down the five pillars of high performance: self-discovery, mental skills, psychological frameworks, recovery practices, and mindfulness. Here’s what struck me the most: mindfulness is the golden thread tying everything together. It’s about being aware and present in the moment, fully engaged with what's happening right now.

When I asked Dr. Gervais how one could develop mindfulness, his answer was simple, but profound:

• Meditation
• Journaling
• Conversations with people of wisdom

He emphasized, “Sitting with someone who has wisdom—who has reference points radically different and deeper than yours—holds a mirror up to you. These conversations allow you to see yourself more clearly and better understand the world around you.”

Who’s in Your Corner?

So, who are you having these conversations with? Are they helping you grow, or just reinforcing your current ways of thinking?

Take Shaka Smart, for instance, a leader we’ve had on the coaching podcast. Despite being at the top of his game, he hired a trained executive coach to help him with his leadership. Why? Because he values those challenging conversations, especially with people who bring fresh, wise perspectives.

Now, let’s explore the different types of people you can have in your corner.

Mentors, Consultants, and Coaches—What’s the Difference?

• Mentors share their experiences and wisdom. They’re great for advice rooted in years of expertise.
• Consultants offer models and tools for solving specific problems. You present a challenge, and they provide a solution.
• Coaches, on the other hand, are different. They hold space for you. Instead of giving you the answers, they ask questions. They listen deeply. They help you reflect, challenge your assumptions, and see yourself more clearly. Their role isn’t to deliver solutions—it’s to guide you in discovering them.

Why Coaching Makes the Difference

In a recent interview on The Sports Agents podcast, Emma Hayes, former Chelsea manager and current head coach of the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team, discussed how hiring an executive coach was the best thing she ever did for her leadership.

Seeing coaches like Emma Hayes and Shaka Smart making this investment in their leadership only affirms the direction my work has taken over the last eight years with my business, TOC. While I do some consulting, I primarily focus on coaching, and here’s why: Experience and advice alone aren't enough to navigate today’s complex leadership challenges. Leadership growth requires more than just solutions—it requires deep reflection and self-awareness. Coaching facilitates that. It offers the opportunity for insight, a broader perspective, and sustainable change. It's about evolving your thinking, not just solving immediate problems.

If you’re serious about growing as a leader, consider hiring a trained executive coach—someone who will ask the tough questions, challenge your assumptions, and hold up that mirror to reveal the real work that needs to be done.

Should We Work Together?

I’m a certified executive coach and facilitator, specializing in team culture, leadership, and character development in sports since 2017. I consult with teams, athletic departments, clubs, and NGBs committed to improving their coaches and developing team culture. My consulting packages include online courses for coaches, on-site facilitation, and 1:1 coaching for leaders. If you’re interested, schedule a call to see if you’re a good fit for TOC.

P.S. I often speak at conferences for coaches and administrators. If you think I might be a good fit for your next event, feel free to reach out here.