Four Things to Consider When Hiring an Executive Coach

Several days ago, I put up a poll here on LinkedIn asking people to share the number one criteria they use when hiring a coach.

The number one response by far was fit, followed by reputation and then price.

Given that fit is so important, I thought it would be helpful to explore how you can find an executive coach who is the right fit for you.

I often receive requests for coaching. Some people appear to be a good match, while others would be best served by someone else.

You may have experienced this for yourself when you decided to use the same coach as your friend is using, only to find that you were disappointed in the results, while your friend was quite happy.

That's because when it comes to coaching, one size does not fit all.

Here are four things to consider when selecting an executive coach.

1. Seek someone who has been where you want to go. You wouldn’t jump out of a plane with someone who has never skydived. So why would you hire a coach who has never done what you are seeking to do? When searching for a coach, find someone who has achieved the level of success you are aiming for.
2. Forget the certifications. Coaching is like the big bad West. There is no widely accepted certification granting organization in the field of coaching, although some may argue they are indeed the only ones who can deem people coaches. While I applaud people’s efforts to improve their coaching skills by attending certification programs, I would not turn someone away who has worked directly with clients to improve their condition, simply because they didn’t have initials after their name.
3. Chemistry. At the end of the day, it comes down to fit. If you watch the television show Dancing with The Stars, you know what I mean. Some stars perform at a higher level when their teacher is a taskmaster, while others need a more subtle approach. You know yourself best. Find a coach who will take you out of your comfort zone and will help you become the best version of yourself.
4. Focus on the quality; not the price. You can get to the same destination in a four-cylinder car, yet some of us choose to drive a high-performance vehicle that will get us there faster. Of course there is a cost to making this choice. Like cars, coaches come in a variety of models. Know what you’re getting and be sure you’re not sacrificing speed for cost.

Curious about coaching? Feel free to schedule a call with me and I'll gladly answer whatever questions you may have.