Just What is Business Coaching?

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Keith Russell, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

Recently, I was curious what people thought when they heard the words “Business Coach”. I met with a friend who I knew would challenge me to think differently about things.

The conversation was a tough one for me, because I didn’t have an acceptable answer for him.

I asked him what the first thing that came to mind when I said “Business Coach”. He immediately asked, “So, are you the Head Coach, Defensive Coach, Offensive Coordinator, the Quarterback Coach or a Special Teams Coach. I did not have an answer immediately. I was not sure how to answer the question, because I knew he wouldn’t let me off the hook without having me explain/describe the answer I would have given him.

Then, I just so happened to come across an article written many years ago, by John Bond. John is the OC/QB’s Coach for UMass for the 2013 season.

After reading the article I realized that I am the Quarterback’s Coach.

Here are Coach Bond’s rules for developing a championship Quarterback from the article. After each of his rules, I explain how Business Coaching is comparable to Quarterback Coaching.

1. We tell them to never take a sack.

(Pitch the ball to me, a mentor or someone else. Get help. Never wait until it’s too late)

2. Never say: “Don’t throw an interception.”


(I will always be encouraging by never speaking to the negative possibilities)

3. Scramble to throw.

(Always be looking for the next opportunity)

4. Throw against the blitz every day.

(Welcome and practice taking on the challenging opportunity every day)

5. Protect your quarterback inside out.

(I always look out for the best interest of the business owner and he knows it. Trust, Respect and Support are my watchwords)

6. Know who to throw to on the blitz. 


(You always need a right-hand man. Surround yourself with employees who can/will succeed when it counts)

7. Teach the quarterback to deceive with his eyes and actions.

(I will work with you so that you are consistent, but always on the hunt for that next level of success. I won’t ever allow you to become complacent)

8. Demand that your quarterback coach the wide receivers.


(I will push you to lead, train and support your team. They should always know what you expect and I will hold you accountable in this)

9. Put him in adverse situations in practice.


( I will challenge you, every time we meet)

10. Force him to make throws in practice.

(I’ll ask the hard questions, to help you make the right business and leadership choices)

Coach Bond added “I do not think I can overstate the importance of a great relationship with your quarterback. If he knows that you really care about him off the field as well as on, that will go a long way toward building the trust that is necessary for you both to succeed. You must be able to be 100% honest with each other. When I ask him: “What did you see?” I need an honest answer. He also has to know that you will always have his best interests at heart, no matter what the situation or circumstances. To sum up a great quarterback-coach relationship, he has to know that 1) you really care about him, 2) you must have a mutual trust with each other, 3) you both have to know that you are always going to be honest with each other, and 4) he has to believe that you always have his best interest at heart.”

Keith Russell is a Business Coach, Speaker and the Founder of Saber Consulting, LLC located in Fort Collins, CO. He can be reached via email at keith@sabreconsultingllc.com