5 Things to Look for When You're Looking for a Coach
Too long and won’t read? Skip down to the bolded lines if you just want the list. (Or, take a minute to read about my first experiences with coaching.)
I was a stressed-out, completely miserable first-semester law student when I worked with my first coach. Right before fall break 2005, I called the number on the brochure they had given us at orientation.
“Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers,” the nice lady on the other end answered, “how can I help you?” I told her through tears that I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be a lawyer and didn’t know what to do. She knew just what to say and even had an idea to help. So less than a week later, I found myself taking the MBTA green line train allllllll the way to Riverside to meet with the career coach who would help me figure out that law school was an OK enough fit but not a great fit.
I don’t remember asking anything other than how much it would cost and how long it would take. I do remember feeling a huge sense of relief when I came to the conclusion after a few sessions that lawyering just wasn’t for me. And even though I don’t even remember her name, I’ll be forever grateful that I had a safe space to say “this isn’t it” and ask “now what?”
The second time I worked with a coach, I asked a few more questions but mostly relied on a trusted friend/colleague’s recommendation. I was again at a crossroads and needed some help figuring out what was next after leaving a decade+ career in advertising.
It wasn’t until the third coach I worked with — again at a transition point in my work/life — that I even had an inkling what professional coaching was. This time, I reached out to a woman who had done a TedX talk that a friend shared with me. I really liked what Laura had to say in that talk but I also really liked the fact that she was a Certified Professional Coach. By the time we had our discovery call, I was pretty sure I was going to work with her, but I came ready with a list of questions that I needed to have answered before I was really sure. (Spoiler alert: working with Laura helped me follow the tug I’d been feeling for a while and I enrolled in my coaching certification program by the end of our work together.)
It’s pretty easy to figure out if a particular coach is right for me now that I’m a coach myself. (Yup, even coaches need coaching!) But I know that it can be a little intimidating or even overwhelming if you’re just getting started. I hope the following list will be helpful for you no matter what kind of coach you’re looking for!
CHEMISTRY: Does It feel like a “click”?
Chemistry is a HUGE factor in the coaching relationship. In order for coaching to be most effective, you need to feel comfortable with your coach. (Of course, the comfort level grows over time, but you want to make sure it’s a good enough fit from the start to really be able to open up as you feel ready to do so.) You might first see what your potential coach has to say on their social media or website or even sign up for their email newsletter. And, when you’re ready, you can sign up for a “discovery call.” Most coaches offer a short, complimentary call to help you both figure out if it’s a good fit. This is your chance to ask questions (and for them to ask you as well) and it’s also your chance to see if there’s a “click”.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION: What makes them qualified to coach?
Did you know that coaching is an unregulated industry? In many countries, anybody can call themselves a “coach” and throw up a shingle. And while I’ve worked with (and had good experiences with) coaches who are not certified through the International Coaching Federation, it’s something I look for these days because I know that ICF coaches hold themselves to the highest professional standards and ethics.
When you’re thinking about working with a coach, you may want to ask (or read on their website) what training they’ve had and what training they continue to receive.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Can they bring what you need to the table?
If chemistry is a must-have, I’d say that relevant experience can be a really nice-to-have. Now, you might be thinking “but doesn’t it matter if they’ve coached on X,Y, and Z?!” And my answer would be “sorta.” If you’re working with an ICF-trained coach, we’ve been trained to follow a coaching process that allows us to coach on literally anything that’s coachable. (And I’ve both been coached and coached on it all.) But many of us choose to serve a specific population or work with a certain topic because we either have lived experience or have gained professional experience in that area. Finding a coach who knows your particular challenge may help you feel more comfortable working with them.
OFFERING(S) ALIGNMENT: Are they offering what you need right now?
Working with a coach takes a time and money investment on your part. You’ll want to make sure that what the coach is offering (whether it’s a package, group program, course or one-off) is in alignment with both your needs and your resources.
A GUT CHECK: How do you feel when you’re off the call?
Remember that “discovery call” I mentioned a bit earlier? I believe that ethical coaches will NEVER pressure you into making a decision while you’re on the call. You should always have the time and space you need to decide if working with a particular coach is not only right for you in general but also in the time you need. (Which isn’t to say that their offerings will be the same if it takes you some time to make a decision…) Check in with both your head and your heart after the call and maybe even sleep on it. Still feel like it’s the right way to go? Well then, you’re on your way!