How to evaluate chemistry and fit with an executive coach

- Beyond credentials and expertise, when you are deciding on your ideal executive coach, you need to feel comfortable. Consider scheduling a consultation with the potential coach to assess whether the chemistry is right. You'll likely be discussing sensitive, personal, and professional issues, so trust and rapport are essential. Here are four questions to ask yourself after that discovery call, and these are questions that are based totally on how you feel. Number one, did I feel comfortable speaking to this coach and sharing my challenges? Did it feel easy for you to share, or, for some reason, were you worried about judgment, and did you feel good about their response? Number two, did this coach seem as though they were knowledgeable in the area where I need support? Did they offer you any insights that you might want to explore if you work together? Their insights should either spark some curiosity or a sense of relief. Number three, do I feel confident that this coach will help me achieve the goals I have in mind? If you asked the coach about their previous success helping others, did you get the sense that they might be able to help you in the same way, or did it feel more like a sales call? Number four, do I believe this coach will maintain confidentiality throughout the coaching process? If you don't feel like you can share freely with this individual for any reason, they are not the best fit for you. Keep these questions in mind after your discovery call with your potential coach, and remember to pay attention to your intuition when it comes to the answers. Chemistry is as important as credentials.