How to choose a coach and how I chose mine

Choosing the right coach could be a matter of life and death. Will your goals and dreams come to life or will they slowly fade away and die? Here are some pointers for you in order of importance.

1. Right Fit - Chemistry, Trust and Style

Chemistry is important because you have to trust and connect with your coach. Coaching is a personal journey and relationship. The more open and honest you are with your coach, the more you will get out of the coaching. Are you comfortable spilling the beans to your coach?

You want a coach who will commit to your long term success, and not just treat it as a transactional relationship.

Do you like them?

Do you like their style? Do you enjoy being with them? Don't settle for a coaching relationship without the right fit even if the coach is #1 in the country! Trust your heart and gut when it comes to this.

2. Right Experience - Qualifications, Track Record and Expertise

Anyone can call themselves a coach these days. Coaching is one of the most unregulated industries in the world. You can become 'qualified' with free online coaching courses or if you have gone through the school of hard knocks (haven't we all?). Make sure your coach has relevant coaching qualifications such as ICF. Ask your coach about her qualifications and experience. Do they walk the talk? Do they have a coach themselves?

Is coaching just a hobby for them or is it their passion and career?

Different coaches have different expertise as well. Although the coach does not need to be an expert in what you want to be coached in, it helps when you are stuck and need specific insights. If you are focusing on career goals, choose a coach who has recruitment/HR/career coaching experience over a life coach with finance experience. If you are focusing on personal branding, it makes sense to find an image coach. If you want to focus on executive presence, you will want a coach with corporate experience. I know some ICF trained coaches may disagree with me on this point (ICF believes coaches can coach on any topic and need not be experts). However, if I had options that is what I would do.

Stalk your coach! Look them up on Linkedin as a Linkedin profile says more than a thousand words. Read their posts and client testimonials to get a feel of what they are like. Ask your common connections about them. Message them and ask them questions.

3. Right Investment – Packages and Value

It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing coaching prices and packages, but coaching is not a mere product or service. It is a transformation.

You are buying transformation and results.

You cannot look at the price tags and compare coaches as though you are buying fruits. You will never find another coach like me! Or any other coach, because we are each unique. However, you might be able to put a price tag on the results you want.

How much is your result worth to you? Is it a 20% jump in salary? A 5% increase in business revenue? A breakthrough in the relationship with your child? Results can be both qualitative and quantitative. Missing out on coaching or waiting until the ‘right time’ has a cost too. A common comment from those who have experienced the results of coaching is always ' I wish I had done this earlier.'

My own experience

Not all coaches have their own coaches. You will be surprised by how many coaches don't because they feel they can coach themselves or they are surrounded by coaches friends. I started coaching in 2013. I didn't have a coach back then. However, I had started a training company with a business partner who was an excellent ass kicker, unoffical coach, and mentor to me. As I grew, I started seeking mentors who could train me and help me become a better coach. I was trained by one of the best career coaches in the world who is a Linkedin Influencer with millions of followers. I was also part of her team of international career coaches. Along the way, I found other incredible mentors and leaders who have made a profound impact on my life. I have definitely been blessed to have been at the right place and right time to meet them.

However, I never had a personal coach. Mentors are not coaches. Mentors are experts who give you resources such as advice and connections. Coaches see you as the expert of your problem and draw the solutions from within you. It was only a few months ago that I came across Rainy's post about her new book. It came with a free coaching session and the proceeds would go to a charity. I messaged her and we met up in a cafe. She also shared her story with me and I could relate to her. I felt she was someone I could share and connect with. She asked me thought provoking questions. Within minutes, my motivation to reach my goals skyrocketed because she was able to push the right buttons.

"This coach is the right fit for me!", I thought. My mind had been made up before I even considered right expertise and right investment. I still asked her about her expertise which got a bigger buy in for me. When we ended the session, she asked me what I wanted to do next. Of course I asked her about her package. Some coaches can be really shy or uncomfortable when discussing money as they don't enjoy 'selling'. Some coaches on the other hand can be rather salesy. She was neither. She made me see the value of coaching and what it would be like to work with her. And that is my journey of how I chose my coach.

Fun fact: I never shopped around or arranged coffees/coaching trials with other coaches before I made the decision. I guess you just know when someone is the right one. ;)

Fast forward a few months down the road, I know I have definitely made the right choice. More on that another time.

I'm curious, how would you choose a coach OR how did you choose your coach?

#coaching #mentoring #howtochooseacoach #cindiw

Interested in 1:1 coaching with me? Connect with me on Linkedin (if we're not connected yet drop me an invite) or leave me a message on my website! If I'm not the right coach for you, I am more than happy to connect you to my network of awesome and qualified coaches.