When you think of world-famous CEOs, you think of their personality traits. Countless characteristics come to mind when we think of entrepreneurs and CEOs, whether it be resourcefulness, resilience, commitment or expert knowledge. However, there is a key characteristic that most famous CEOs share, and that is coachability.
Individuals can have all the raw talent and passion they want. Still, it won’t get them anywhere if they are not willing to be moulded and coached to push them in the right direction to succeed.
Countless CEOs worldwide started their journey with excellent coaching to provide them with the tools to succeed. They understood the value a business coach could provide and the skills that can be developed by having the right support system that understands your needs and how to play to your strengths.
In this article, we will look at some of the world’s leading CEOs and how they utilised a business coach’s help to achieve the dizzying heights they have achieved in the world of business.
Famous CEOs with business coaches
Steve Jobs – Apple
Steve Jobs was the man who founded Apple in 1976 and led it to become the world leader in telecommunications, overseeing revolutionary product launches like the iPod and iPhone. The products Steve Jobs oversaw the creation of had a far-reaching influence on the world of personal technology and still influence mobile device design in the products released today.
Even the greatest minds need someone to help guide them along the way. Steve Jobs had a business coach helping him to forge his management style and philosophies that still define the Apple brand values. today.
Steve Jobs’ business coach was called Bill Campbell and he helped the Apple founder forge many key pillars and beliefs that he based his company around. Campbell coached Steve Jobs to create a people-focused business, stressing that it is the people you employ which make you a leader. Coaching helped Jobs to fine-tune his business outlook, intertwining the technology and marketing sides of Apple to create a perfect storm that led it to become one of the most well-known and successful companies in the world.
Eric Schmidt – Google
When we think of search engines, the first thing that pops into almost everyone’s head is the powerhouse that is Google. Formed in 1998, Google is a household name and is unarguably one of the most recognisable companies in the world, having a market share of 92.2% among other search engines. Eric Schmidt was a key figure guiding Google to where it is today. Since then, he has been a key figure in other businesses like Alphabet.
Eric Schmidt is a fond believer that business coaches are crucial to developing a successful business owner, famously saying, “Everyone needs a business coach”. Similarly to Steve Jobs, Eric Schmidt took many of the lessons that allowed him to create global technology giants like Google from a business coach in his early business life.
Business coaches allow entrepreneurs and business owners to take their highly creative mind and combine it with the strategic tools needed to run a business effectively. With the help of a business coach, Schmidt combined his technical expertise and creative vision with the marketing techniques needed to make his vision profitable.
Eric Schmidt believed the primary advantage of having a business coach was that they helped him to see himself in a way that he wouldn’t be able to on his own. Having that secondary perspective and voice in your ear to show you the bigger picture without being blinded by a first-person perspective is vital to further development.
Roger Enrico – PepsiCo
Pepsi is one of the largest and most well-known soft drink brands in the world today and has become a household name over the last half a century. Roger took up the role of CEO at Pepsi in 1983 and would maintain this position until his retirement in 2001. Like countless other entrepreneurs and CEOs, Roger had a business coach at the beginning of his career to forge the values and strategies he would take with him to Pepsi and help them grow into one of the largest food and beverage companies.
Roger even founded a coaching program within Pepsi Co. in which he would personally coach nine up-and-coming employees on an intensive 18-month program to guide them in the right direction and provide them with the same system that allowed him to develop his skills and become CEO material.
The Value of a Business Coach
One thing that CEOs of some of the world’s most successful companies have in common is that they didn’t get to where they are now without help. Even the world’s best CEOs need someone to guide them and help them realise a business strategy that aligns with their values, beliefs and skillset.
A business coach can provide you with a perspective you’d never be able to see on your own, giving advice and a balanced opinion that can help you reach new heights in your business life.
Want to know more?
Becoming a great entrepreneur, business owner, or CEO doesn’t happen overnight. It can sometimes be difficult to know if you’re heading in the right direction with your personal development. If you’d like to know more about me and how I could help you on your journey, let’s start a conversation! I am on hand to answer any questions you may have and help you take your first steps towards achieving your professional goals.
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