How do I choose a Coach?
How Do I Choose a Coach?
Another brilliant question to ask yourself when thinking of coaching and one that I know many people ask themselves.
When choosing a coach; consider trust and rapport. Look for these qualities:
Non-judgemental
Direct
Candid
Open-minded
Able to challenge and support simultaneously,
Champion and stretch you to create change. You are coming to coaching because you want something to change!
When thinking how do I choose a coach, ask yourself 3 questions:
What are you searching for?
What do you expect from your coach?
What’s bringing you to coaching; what do you know that by the end of our coaching time together you will have wanted to change?
Top Tips:
Be discerning
Look around at what coaches are offering, look at reviews, web content, bio’s and ask for recommendations from others.
Book a complimentary chemistry session.
It’s just a chat. This is where you can work out if you think you and your coach will ‘fit’. Your prospective coach will be doing the same. Here you can ask all the questions you might have. There is no obligation to engage, your coach will respect your choice. I don’t work with everyone I meet. Fit is vital.
What should I look for when choosing a coach?
I’ve shared below some areas you may consider important, hold the question ‘why’ each point may or may not be important to you as you explore. This might help you formulate questions you can take to your Chemistry Session.
Qualifications & Training
Is it important that your coach has a coaching qualification? Or where that qualification is from? Not all qualifications are created equal. Some coaching qualifications come from a weekend on-line, some three years and more. I chose to professionalise my practice and have a Masters in Coaching with Distinction; coaching psychology, reflective practice, supervision and ethics are ingrained in my practice.
Style & Genre of Coaching
Each coach brings something unique to their practice. Is there a specific genre of coaching you’re interested in? Do you have something specific in mind? What and why? Are you looking for private life coaching or a coach who can work in your organisation or perhaps both? I work in leadership and personal growth at the developmental and transformational end of the spectrum. My style is eclectic and draws on years of study and personal work. I work with senior level people across all sizes of business. There are no crazy questions about style – it’s important your coach is right for you - ask, ask, ask!.
Background & Experience
Is it important your coach has a background in your specific industry or area of focus? What makes that important to you? Being in your industry can be beneficial, being removed can bring a whole new perspective and source of challenge. Coaching is a very different set of skills; a coach that parallels your achievements, style and skills required in your industry may have similar implicit bias as you and be unable to see your blind spots. As well as coaching I often consult with businesses, I actively advise boards and support leaders and business owners. This brings a relevance to my coaching practice as I don’t live vicariously through my clients experience - I’m out there and I know what’s going on.
Accreditation/ Affiliations
Is your coach accredited by or affiliated to an independent coaching body? A coaching body provides some structure, guidance and ethical guidance through the Global Code of Ethics. I am an EMCC accredited Senior Practicioner Coach and an associate member of the Association for Coaching and voluntarily abide by the Global Code of Ethics. These afford me a professional sense of community-regulation, continuous feeding back into the industry and continuous personal development opportunities. This is linked to coaching cupervision; all coaching bodies insist on coaching supervision (see below).
Code of Ethics
How does your coach regulate their practice ethically? Is that an important consideration for you? Coaching can be quite intimate; it’s a confidential and safe space to discuss your personal important issues and thoughts, without judgement. Is it important your coach can discuss how they remain ethically grounded? I’m happy to have a chat about ethics and what I’m learning in my practice, and supervision; both are very important to me.
Supervision
Is your coach taking part in Coaching Supervision? My supervisor is a qualified coaching supervisor who provides an elevated form of coaching where I can discuss cases from my perspective; dilemmas, ethical issues, and problems – it’s completely confidential and coach centred. Client’s identities are never discussed, a very firm boundary. It’s a form of CPD and a professional investment in my practice where I can seek ways to be more effective, think of new approaches and how to improve my client’s coaching experience. I also take part in peer group supervision – same professional rules apply. Supervision is the professional backbone of my practice development. Not all coaches have a supervisor, not all coaches think it is important, so it’s worth considering if you think it’s important.
Continuous Personal
Development
Does your coach engage in developing themselves and their practice? Is this important to you? I attend supervision, group supervision and I see my own personal coach very regularly. Continuing my masters journey I’m also part of an academic coaching group for coaches with academic qualifications where we discuss the latest research and findings in coaching. As part of EMCC and AC I agree to CPD and attend regular courses and events certified through these organisations.
Recommendations / Reviews
Can your coach share testimonials and recommendations with you? Can they share the highs and the lows with you? – it’s not always perfect. I’m happy to discuss this with you in our chemistry session. There are snippets of testimonials throughout my website, business page and my business is very much based on word of mouth and referral. However, as you know what’s right for a friend or colleague isn’t always right for you – having a chemistry / intro chat allows you to make an informed choice.
Pricing
Does your coach’s pricing structure work for you in the medium and longer-term? Coaching is an investment in you, and it is a considered purchase. This is a big factor in choosing coaching and a coach. I offer a private and corporate structure and I do some pro-bono work from time to time on a case-by-case basis too. My prices are on my website, there’s nothing hidden. It’s worth considering experience, style and fit together when considering investing in coaching; what to you want to have changed and can this coach help you get there.
Intro / Chemistry Session
Does your coach offer a complimentary session for you to bring all your questions about them, coaching and being coached? A place for you to share and articulate what is you want and need? This is the start of the journey of building rapport and trust. You can ask questions about your coach, their experience and background and share yours. Not every coach offers this.
Rapport
It all circles back to rapport, relationship, and trust and many of the above impact these. Does your coach ‘get you’, are they in your camp, challenge you candidly, be open minded and non-judgemental; allow you to explore avenues that may not be the same ones your coach would choose, this is vital! Are they present, tuned in to really listen and connect. Can you question and challenge your coach? because you absolutely should – they don’t always get it right. Successful, sustainable, and fulfilling coaching is a meeting of equals.
Successful, sustainable and fulfilling coaching is a meeting of equals.
How Do I Choose a Coach; additional FAQ’s:
As well as the above; what else should I consider when choosing a coach?
In your Chemistry Session consider the following questions:
Have you worked with people with similar challenges and goals to mine?
Do you share testimonials and review from clients; where can I find them?
What is your coaching style; do you have a step-by-step programme everyone goes through or is your approach bespoke?
What type of clients do you typically work with? How do they find you?
How do your sessions work; what can I expect?
How long does a coaching engagement / relationship work?
What is your availability? Could we get into a consistent routine that works for me?
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Are you available outwith our scheduled sessions?
Things to look out for when choosing a coach:
Promises of quick fixes, cures and guaranteed results.
Lack of clarity about their experience, qualifications, certification or accreditation.
Lack of clarity about who and how they coach.
Ambiguity on pricing structure and no prices for private coaching on their website. (Worth noting Executive Coaching is often a bespoke assignment so pricing is also bespoke).
No offering of complimentary Chemistry or Discovery Session.
Is coaching right for me?
What is coaching?