Tips on Hiring a Coach

Coaching partners coach and client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Coaches help people improve their performance and enhance the quality of their lives.

Coaches are trained to listen, to observe and to customize their approach to individual client needs. They seek to elicit solutions and strategies from the client; they believe the client is naturally creative and resourceful. The coach's job is to provide support to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that the client already has.

Over 90% of all coaching is done via telephone so you need not live near your coach.

When do you need a coach?

When you are stuck, not moving ahead in your life.
When you need clarity around your goals, values or needs.
When you need accountability not readily available in your life.
When you need the expertise of a unbaised party. In other words, your best friend might "coach" you but they have a vested interest in the outcome of the situation.
When you want to move more quickly. You might get where you're going on your own but it might take 3 years when you could get there (this is just an example) in 6 months with a professional coach in your corner.

Suggestions for Hiring a Coach

1. Ask about the coach's training. Determine if they are credentialed through ICF or certified through their coaching school (these are two different processes).

2. Ask about their experience in the areas of expertise in which you desire coaching.

3. Ask how long they have been coaching, how many clients they serve and their success rates.

4.   Ask about their coaching methodology:
      Method of Coaching: by phone, cybercoaching (email), in person?
      Frequency: 2x, 3x or 4x a month?
      Appointment Duration: 30, 45 or 60 minutes?
      Minimum commitment periods: Some coaches encourage minimum commitments of 3, 6 or 12 months.

5. You might want to interview more than one coach.

6. Be clear on what you want from a coach:

Do you want someone to challenge you or create more peace in your life?
Do you prefer to feel connected to the person who coaches you or are you more interested in their expertise, knowledge and skills?
Do you prefer a coach who has done what you want to achieve? In other words, would you rather be coached by Michael Jordan or Michael Jordan's coach?
Do you need to be reminded of your goals constantly or do you need space to explore who you are?
What type of communication do you prefer – lots of ideas and brainstorming v. exploration and reflection?

More information from ICF-International: What is a Coach?