When some people think about coaching, they think it involves simply listening. But coaching is about much more than that — it is about building a relationship, more specifically a partnership.

Companies are busy, and it can often feel tough to navigate your way in the workplace — maybe your work feels siloed, and you’re not sure where to turn for help. Whether you feel lost now or foresee wanting help with challenges down the road, it’s important to build a support network.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve held jobs in many different fields, from the U.S. military to large corporations. Even with such a wide range of experience, there was one theme I noticed in all of my jobs: The workplace always had its fair share of dysfunction.