I worked out at the same gym for 14 years. I went regularly and did the same routine, over and over. Results were okay, but I had definitely reached a plateau.

Then I changed gyms and enlisted the help of a personal trainer. Wow, what a difference! He really opened my eyes to some new things: simple changes I could make that helped me to do exponentially better. Before long, my results improved noticeably.

This got me thinking about the value of having an expert guide you in any area you’re trying to improve. My mind goes to leadership coaches because that’s my professional field, but it’s true in everything from golf swings to finances to public speaking. Coaches of all types get results for the same reasons my fitness trainer does.

Even in our own coaching practice, we spend a good bit of time developing our skills to identify pain points for partner organizations and create a very doable coaching plan. We recently took this to the next level by beginning our learning and development day, not in the office but in the gym…doing our own stretching exercises and looking for a few pain points of our own.

We often tend to think we can do things ourselves. But going it alone is far less effective. Left to our own devices, we tend to revert to our familiar. We stick to the same routine in the gym, the same behaviors, the same patterns, the same everything. We might be getting okay results, and that’s good…but are we really optimizing our time and energy? If we want to go further faster, experts can really make a difference.

Working the hardest or lifting the most weight doesn’t necessarily yield the results. Being deliberate and thoughtful does. A small adjustment to a machine or your lifting technique can activate an entire muscle group and supercharge your progress. Knowing when and how to make the small change that makes a big difference requires the perspective of an expert.

Let’s look at the benefits of engaging an expert, through the lens of my gym trainer experience:

• It creates alignment and a cohesive approach. We’ve never had more access to information. There are tons of routines and techniques on TikTok and other platforms. But this makes for a hodgepodge approach that tempts you to chase every shiny ball that rolls by. Getting results requires systematic approaches based on real goals. Also, my trainer doesn’t work in a “fitness” vacuum. He factors in nutrition and sleep as well…all of it works together.
• It individualizes a program designed for you. Just because an exercise or routine is right for one person doesn’t mean it will work for another. We’re all unique. In statistical terms, everybody is an N of 1. (This reminds me of our Precision Leader Development™ approach to skill-building. When you zero in on someone’s strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and daily schedules, and design around that, it makes all the difference.)
• There’s real value in one-on-one observation. A good trainer can watch you closely and see where making a small adjustment can prevent potential injury and maximize results. They watch your technique and tell you if you’re just going through the motions.
• Experts see pain points that you don’t. You may think you are doing better than you are. My trainer showed me some pain points I didn’t even realize I had with some minor foam-roller stretching exercises. Outside perspectives can spot gaps we often cannot see.
• They keep an eye out for the latest and best techniques. My trainer is always sharing new ideas to make sure I’m on the cutting edge and to keep challenging me.
• They encourage you to perfect one technique before you move on. (We tend to get impatient and move to the next thing too soon.)
• Finally, a good trainer creates goals and tracks measurable results. This forces accountability.

Notice how all of this applies to leadership training and coaching. Change is hard, whether trying to improve your workout or become a better leader. An expert guide is an incredibly valuable tool and a worthwhile investment.

There is always the temptation to go the DIY route. Yes, there is certainly enough information to do good things on your own. The problem is, it’s hard to tell where the good stuff is, hard to sequence and create consistency, and hard to see what you are getting wrong or opportunities you are missing. Engaging a coach can take you further faster.

Bottom line: The best investment you’ll ever make is in someone who can see what you can’t. Working hard is good. Working hard with the right guide is a game changer.