Welcome to 5 Questions With, a “behind the business” series from Bella Domain Media. This interview style post is published every few months and I’m so excited to bring you my second interview! This one is with entrepreneur and coach extraordinaire, Beth Buelow.
I’ve been a fan of Beth’s thought leadership for a while now, so I was thrilled when we finally connected online and she invited me to be a guest on her podcast series to talk about an introvert-friendly way to approach networking. Beth’s on a mission to change perceptions around being an introvert.
Soon after our interview, and once I learned even more about her unique business, I eagerly invited her to be my second 5 Questions With interviewee. Beth is a talented author, speaker and professional coach dedicated to helping introverts understand and embrace their unique gifts.
So, without further adieu, here are Beth’s generous and insightful “shares” in the form of answers to my 5 questions. Thanks for participating, Beth!
1) If there were “one thing” that most people don’t get about your business, what would that one thing be?
That my message isn’t just for the introverts; extroverts often find as much value, if not more, in what I share. When I’m asked to give a presentation, there’s frequently concern that the extroverts in the audience will be bored. In reality, they listen attentively and ask great questions. I sometimes joke at the beginning of the presentation that by the end, someone will have switched teams or I will have saved a marriage. This is usually because someone will realize that s/he has been living the life of a “fake extrovert” (at least professionally), but is really an introvert at heart. Or an extrovert will think about an introverted spouse, and share with amazement, “So, that’s why he does that!”
2) What does someone need to understand to do professional coaching well?
The ability to establish safety is of paramount importance. When a client feels safe, he can open up without fear of judgment. There’s also value to being able to guide without leading: the coach asks questions and is a mirror in service to the client’s agenda, not the coach’s. It takes practice to ask truly open-ended questions that are not leading the client in the direction you as the coach think she should go.
3) Of the information you’ve shared above, what is the most important thing someone should consider before hiring or becoming a coach?
Here’s a key question to check in with when you’re hiring someone: Do you, as the client, feel safe? Do you trust that you can say anything to your coach, and you won’t be judged otherwise negated? Do you feel your coach will honor your feelings and not try to “fix” you? The coach might have a fancy website, but if you don’t feel trust that coach completely, the relationship will never meet your needs.
Before becoming a coach, it’s important to be clear on your motivations. Do you want to empower people, or fix people? Coaching is about empowerment, not problem solving. It’s also not a get-rich-quick path, despite marketers promising you a six-figure business in six months. It will take time, patience and persistence to create your business.
4) Was there ever a moment when you had an “aha!” around your own business and suddenly it all came together? If so, please share with us.
The biggest and most memorable “aha!” was when I discovered my niche. I had been struggling for a few years to identify my target market. Then, one day a wise friend asked me, “Are you trying to find one niche that will fill all of your interests and needs?” Yes, I was! That simple question released the pressure of finding a one-size-fits-all niche.
Once I stopped forcing it, I began to notice who was showing up: Introverts! That was late April 2010, and I’ve not looked back since. And the great part about it? This one niche actually does bring together most of my interests!
5) When you picture how all this information fits together, what image comes to mind?
I see a person standing tall and strong, head slightly bowed, eyes closed, palms together in front of her chest in the Namaste position. This represents peace, seeing and being seen, safety. It’s a greeting and a goodbye. There’s acknowledgment and acceptance without attachment. That’s how I think a good coaching relationship, and a good business, should be.
Beth Buelow, ACC, serves as a guide to introvert entrepreneurs who want to amplify their strengths and build sustainable, energetically aligned businesses. She is a professional coach, author, podcaster and speaker, is based in the Pacific Northwest and serves introverts worldwide. Beth is the author of Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert (2012) and the forthcoming The Introvert Entrepreneur (2014/15). You can follow her on Twitter or learn more at TheIntrovertEntrepreneur.com.
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