10 Free Tips to Find the Right Coach for You

by | May 20, 2019 | Leadership

You’ve seen the explosion of the coaching profession. Tennis players, poker champions, NBA athletes, CEOs, actors, and politicians have reported using coaches to advance their careers.

How do you find the right coach, and what can a coach do for you?

I’ve spent over 500 hours coaching professionals and hired a few coaches of my own a long the way. I believe in the benefits of a supportive and growth-oriented relationship––so much so that coaching will be the way I go out in this life, and I will seek a coach each time I want to personally and professionally expand into the next level.

If you’ve thought about working with a coach, here’s a list of 10 tips to help you choose the best one for you.
  1. Have an initial conversation to get a feel for the coach

You’re hiring, so just like investing in an automobile, take the relationship out for a test drive.

  1. The coach should talk about you more than themselves

You are the hero; the coach is your guide. If they talk about themselves more than they ask about you, run for the hills.

  1. Know what you need

Coaches have niches––look for one based on what you want. It’s unlikely you’ll hire a health and wellness coach if you want to write a book, for example.

  1. Know where you want go

Can the coach take you as deeply as you’d like? Do you want to be respectfully challenged about your stories? To hire the right coach to take you where you want to go, know where that is first.

  1. Hire someone who makes it easy for you to be YOU

True coaching includes vulnerability. Find someone with whom you feel comfortable opening up and being real.

  1. Make it about chemistry

You should “click” and feel rapport. Being able to trust your coach to listen, understand, know you, and keep it all professionally confidential is essential.

  1. Check their credentials & professionalism

Not all who call themselves “coach” have been certified and trained by an accredited program. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a renowned organization––ethical coaching is their top priority. At the same time, not all coaches who are certified are professional. Get a feel for the level of professionalism you want, and then decide.

  1. Check if they demonstrate a desire to see you succeed

Coaching is all about your success. If your potential coach doesn’t demonstrate their desire (or even excitement) to see your success come to fruition, keep searching.

  1. Get a sense of their skill

The best coaches ask powerful questions and acknowledge and validate everything you come to the conversation with. Give them the ax if they use anger, shame, or sarcasm about anything you share.

  1. Trust your gut

When it comes down to hiring the best coach for you, trust what your intuition is saying. You know better than anyone what is best for you.

Happy coach hunting!

 

Rachel is a Certified Coach with a Masters Degree in Counseling. She coaches professionals through important decisions so their minds are clear to move forward in life and in business. Learn more here. Email Rachel or drop a note in the comments.

 

 

Visit our INspired Leadership team website. Join our Facebook Community. Follow Rachel’s Twitter and INspired Leaderhip’s Twitter. Let’s network together on LinkedIn.

 

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by | Dec 11, 2018 | Coaching, Family, Informational, Skills & Techniques








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by | Sep 26, 2018 | Coaching, Informational, Leadership








When asked how he carved his infamous statue of David, Michelangelo replied, “I just chipped away what wasn’t David.”

In the business of personal coaching, group coaching, and culture audits, our goal is similar: to help individuals and groups chip away what gets in the way of inherent possibility.

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