HOW TO SELECT A COACH
HOW TO SELECT A COACH WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU
by guest contributor, coach Grace Durfee*
If you are in a career transition, seek a better work/life balance, or
want to launch or expand a business, you could certainly benefit from
have a coach in your corner! Once you decide you'd like to work with a
coach, how
do you find the right one for you?
Here are some steps that can help in selecting a coach:
1. UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
Clarify what you are seeking from a coach in terms of:
*QUALITIES: Think about who has brought out the best in you in the past. Who inspired you and energized you? Who made work fun? Think back to teachers, athletic coaches, bosses, and mentors who helped you thrive and look for a coach with similar qualities.
*QUALIFICATIONS: As coaching is a partnership, it's important that you choose someone who inspires your confidence and trust. Is it important to you that your coach be certified and have specialized coach training? Would you prefer to work with someone with experience in a certain industry or niche?
*LIFESTYLE: Coaches are often role models for their clients, so look for a coach who's living the kind of life you'd like and who "walks his/her talk" Your criteria may include being married, single, a parent, retired, financially independent, a successful entrepreneur, spiritual.
2. GATHER NAMES
* Ask for referrals from friends and colleagues who've worked with coaches.
* Search the Internet and coach referral listings:
www.coachfederation.org
www.findacoach.com
www.icfne.org
www.24-7coaching.com
www.coachville.com
Use keywords (perhaps words identified in Step 1) to help narrow your search.
* Look for coaches who have been featured in the media or who have written articles or newsletters which you enjoyed.
3. RESEARCH
Explore different coaches' websites or referral listings to get a sense of their style and approach. Read any posted newsletters or articles to get a feel for their perspectives. Listen to their voice if have a Real Audio clip. Read testimonials from clients.
4. INTERVIEW
Speak with several coaches. Here are some questions to ask when interviewing a coach:
* What would you like to know about me and what would you like me to
know
about you?
* Do you have some success stories or references that you can share with
me?
* What would make you consider us a good coaching match?
* What would enable you to effectively coach someone in my situation?
* What are your coaching qualifications and credentials?
* Is coaching your primary profession or a side-line business?
* How do you "walk your talk" as a coach?
* What could I expect from you as a coach and what would you expect from
me as a client?
(and, remember, keep notes on their responses and your reactions!)
4. EVALUATE
Many coaches will offer a complimentary session. Ideally, set up sample sessions with three or more coaches so you can compare the experiences. Who seemed to really understand you? With whom did you feel most comfortable? Who challenged and motivated you? Whom would you be eager to work with on a regular basis?
5. CHOOSE
Use your intuition and select the coach who feels like the right match for you.
A9 Copyright 2003 by Grace Durfee. All Rights Reserved. http://www.balancewithgrace.com
*Be sure to check out Grace's regularly scheduled teleclass "SUCCESS
with GRACE: Get Your Coaching Practice Off to a Running Start" an
8-week Teleforum designed for new or newer coaches who are committed to
growing
their businesses.
To register contact Grace Durfee at (978) 689-7446 or email grace@balancewithgrace.com. And, if you are local (to Boston,MA), check out Grace's workshops on Coaching at the Boston Center for Adult Education.
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