There is an estimated 100,000 coaches worldwide. With an ample supply of coaches, how do you choose the right coach for yourself?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF), a global organisation dedicated to advancing the coaching profession through standards, education, and credentialing, suggests that you first understand what coaching and its processes is about. You may like to read this article to help you understand how coaching is different from other helping professions.
They also advise you to think about what you want to achieve through coaching which will help you find a suitable coach. Two other tips they offer include interviewing at least three coaches and verifying each coach's credibility by researching their training, professional memberships, and credentials.
Here's an expansion of the tips.
Understand Your Coaching Needs
Are you looking for career advancement, performance improvement, or perhaps a life transition? Identifying your specific goals will help narrow down the type of coaching you need which then helps you to be more focused on your coach list to research on.
According to ICF, the top areas of specialisation for coaching included leadership coaching, followed by executive coaching. Here are short descriptions of a few types of coaching services:
Leadership Coaching: Aims to enhance a leader's personal and professional development, ultimately maximising their potential and effectiveness within an organisation
Executive Coaching: Tailored to enhance executives’ performance, leadership and decision-making skills, and fostering self-awareness to drive both individual and organisational success
Career Coaching: Focuses on career transitions, job search strategies, and personal branding
Performance Coaching: Aims at enhancing skills and effectiveness in your current role
Business Coaching: Aims to help entrepreneurs and business owners to improve their companies' performance, develop growth strategies, and enhance operational efficiency
Life Coaching: Addresses personal goals, work-life balance, and overall life satisfaction
There are also more specialised coaching niches including Relationship Coaching, Spiritual Coaching, Mindfulness Coaching, Cross-Cultural Coaching, Parenting Coaching and others.
You may find that your needs are diverse, which could necessitate engaging more than one type of coach. For instance, you might choose to work with a Relationship Coach to enhance your communication skills and address challenges in your personal or spousal relationships, while simultaneously collaborating with a Career Coach, such as myself, to facilitate your career transition.
Download the full resource here.
Verify Credibility
Look for coaches who have relevant certifications and experience. Besides the ICF, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and Association for Coaching are two other bodies that offer recognised credentials that can indicate a coach's commitment to professional standards. You can look through the organisation’s Member Directory and filter for coaches based on coaching categories or services.
Assess Fit
While domain expertise can be beneficial, it’s not always necessary when looking for a coach. However, if it makes you more comfortable to work with a coach that has experience in your area of need, go ahead to include that in your choice assessment.
During your first meeting with a coach, assess if their communication style resonates with you and if you feel comfortable discussing personal challenges and aspirations with them.
Different coaches have different styles of coaching. Some may use structured frameworks, while others adopt a more fluid style that encourages exploration. Determine what approach aligns best with your preferences and learning style.
Prepare a few questions which will help you make a decision you are comfortable with.
Here are a few examples:
How often should we meet? How many sessions would be sufficient?
Could you share if you have worked with clients with similar goals as mine?
What happens if I feel that this coaching relationship isn't working for me?
Add your own questions that will help you in your own decision-making process.
Some clients schedule their initial session with me and, following a brief introduction, promptly transition into discussing their overarching goals and specific objectives for the session. This behaviour may be attributed to the digital marketing efforts I have implemented.
These efforts may include blog articles containing relevant content that instils confidence in potential clients, encouraging them to engage with me without the need for extensive preliminary discussions. Additionally, my active contributions on LinkedIn may have fostered a sense of trust among prospective clients prior to any direct interaction. This situation may similarly apply to your search for the right coach to meet your needs.
Red Flags to Watch For
While many coaches are qualified, it is essential to exercise caution when selecting one. First, be wary of coaches who employ pressure tactics to sign up for a coaching package. Often than not, it is an indication of desperation for work rather than confidence in their abilities. Such pressure can lead to hasty decisions that may not be in your best interest.
Avoid coaches who offer one-size-fits-all solutions without taking the time to understand your unique situation; effective coaching should be tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Very importantly, have clarity regarding termination policies; ensure you fully understand the terms related to ending the coaching relationship, as flexibility in this regard is crucial.
Finally, remember that coaching is not about giving advice; rather, it focuses on facilitating self-discovery and accountability, guiding you toward your own insights and solutions.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can make a more informed choice when selecting a coach.
Don't Rush
Take the necessary time to identify a coach who not only meets your specific needs but also aligns with you in terms of communication style. It may be helpful that your coach possesses relevant experience to effectively support you on your journey.
A competent coach will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone, fostering personal and professional growth through the use of probing questions while simultaneously providing the necessary support. This balanced approach is essential for achieving meaningful outcomes from your coaching sessions.
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