Picking the right coach is important. You should be able to connect with your coach and trust them. You also need to be open to the idea of being vulnerable to get the best from coaching. Your coach therefore needs to be someone who you feel comfortable with and who resonates with you.
Here are some ideas on how to do this:
1. Look at their online presence
By looking at several coaches’ social media presence, you’ll get a feel for their approach. You can then decide which ones seem like a good fit for you.
Also look specifically for details of:
- experience and credentials
- areas of interest and expertise
- client testimonials
- coaching approach and style
- pricing and packages
- location and whether they coach in person and/or remotely
- complimentary consultations
You’ll soon begin to get a good idea of who resonates with you and why.
2. Have an initial conversation
Check if the coaches on your shortlist offer a free consultation to find out more about you. This is an opportunity to check if you have a connection, so you can both determine if you are right for each other.
Ask the coaches questions about their style, approach and coaching logistics like venue, online sessions, and times. You could also ask questions such as:
- what can I expect to get out of coaching?
- what kind of people do you most like to work with?
- how will we set/agree on my coaching goals?
- how will you hold me accountable for success?
Each coach is different, so having conversations with two or three people will help you to decide what style and approach feels best for you.
3. Look beyond pricing
You’ll want to know the cost of coaching sessions, but it’s important to consider the value you stand to gain, and not just the price. Coaching is an investment in yourself and your continued development and growth. You are not just buying time from your coach, but rather personal transformation. The value of transformation is usually far greater than the price of coaching, so don’t be tempted to see coaching as an hourly cost.
4. Go with your head, heart and gut feel
Choosing a coach is an important decision, but don’t mull over it for too long. Often your heart or gut feel indicates which coach to work with. It’s the person has good chemistry, you can build a relationship of trust.
5. Don’t talk yourself out of coaching
You’ve acknowledged the value of having a coach in your life, so don’t change your mind without a valid reason. If you talk yourself out of coaching, you are essentially sabotaging your development and growth.
Perhaps your reasons are the following:
- You think you can’t afford coaching… consider that YOU are your biggest investment.
- You think you can figure it out alone… maybe you can, but surely you would have done so by now? In addition, coaching accelerates the process and give you insights that you wouldn’t necessarily have grasped on your own.
- Someone else is talking you out of it. Sometimes another person gets involved in the decision making. If they want the best for you, they should encourage you to go ahead with coaching.
- You think it’s not the right time. Are you really going to be less busy in a month’s time? Or in the next six months? Or next year? Now is just as good a time as any to start with coaching. If you are really committed, you could find an hour in your week to do something that is a high priority. And if you are feeling overworked or overwhelmed, the insights and skills you gain from coaching will help you navigate this period – right when you need it most.