Wading Through the Murky Waters of Finding a Coach

Let’s face it, consultants and coaches these days are a dime a dozen. When I first started my work I often did not want to let people know what my field was. I didn’t want to be guilty by association, knowing I had value that might be overlooked purely because of my field. So, why is this the case? The problem is that many of the consultants and coaches out there are simply not good. In fact, many of them are a living oxymoron. While they offer to help you get your life and business in order, their own is in shambles.

That said, I have worked with coaches, both professionally and personally, and have had some pretty amazing experiences. I’m often asked about my process for hiring a coach. The question reminds me of an illustration a friend of mine (who is a leading Allergist & Immunologist in the Greater Boston Area) uses: What do you call a someone who barely graduated from Medical School? DOCTOR. Makes you kind of wonder, are all doctors created equal? And really, how does one typically go about selecting someone as a doctor?

When it comes to coaches, consultants, and mentors, the waters get even murkier. Today, these titles can be used without any particular standards or requirements in place to practice. Yes, there are programs for consultants and coaches. But the fact of the matter is, someone who went to coaching school and has only two years of experience is in the same pool as someone with over 20 years experience and a vast education.

If you are considering beginning the process of hiring a coach, start by knowing what you want to change. What is the specific outcome you are looking for when you hire someone?

Have clarity in measurement. How are you going to measure the the change you are seeking? When will you know you have made progress and what will that look like? What is the timeline for the engagement?

After you have clarity on those questions, how do you find someone that can truly help you? To make your search a little easier I have outlined five criteria to help you in your process. Choosing the right coach is very important, so use due diligence and always, always, always… trust your intuition.

1. How does this person differentiate their work? What do they do and offer differently that no one else does so well?

2. How does their uniqueness align with your vision and your current challenge(s)?

3. Ask for a free consultation. This is the litmus test. Are they able to uncover what you cannot?

4. What is their track record? Look for evidence of who they have helped and how.

5. Do they charge a premium for their work? I would not hire anyone that claims they are “competitively priced.” The best does not come cheap and neither does your success!

Finding the right coach is one of the most crucial keys to your success.

If you’d like additional guidance on this topic, feel free to shoot me a message.

Best,

Chris