6 Things To Consider Before Choosing A New Coach
Jan 30, 2023
Written by Sebastian Little
Core Questions: “How do I find the right coach? What should I look for? How do I know I’ve found the one?”
That last question was for all of my hopeless coaching romantics. Jokes aside, let’s get to it. It’s an important question, especially if this is your first time working with a coach or investing significantly into your personal and professional growth.
WHY COACHING?
It's no secret that the most successful people in the world have coaches. Many people mistakenly believe that coaching is only for athletes or celebrities, but the truth is that everyone can benefit from having a coach. A good coach will help you see things from a different perspective, identify your blind spots, and give you the tools and support you need to reach your goals. A great coach opens your eyes to the greatness inside of you and new opportunities around you. If you’re feeling stuck or just need a little extra motivation, coaching may be right for you. But with so many coaches out there, how do you choose the right one for you?
HERE ARE 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN MAKING YOUR DECISION:
1. Energetic Match
First, and most importantly, you'll want to consider the energy fit between you and the coach. This is something that's hard to quantify, but you'll know it when you feel it. The best way to gauge whether or not there's an energy fit is by talking to several different coaches and seeing which one feels right for you. Trust your gut.
Real life: As I was choosing my current coach, a colleague gave me a wise piece of advice about her own decision process. She said, “Consider the coach that soothes and brings calm to your nervous system. Coaching should be challenging and expand your growth edge, not bring anxiety or shame”. I made the right choice. After every call, I feel inspired, empowered, and ready to take new action.
Reminder: It is never about the coach. It is always about you, the client. Your willingness to do the inner work will be the source of your breakthroughs and results.
2. Experience & Demographic
One of the first things you'll want to consider when choosing a coach is their demographics and background. Do they primarily work with people in your industry? Do they have experience coaching people at your level? Are they familiar with the challenges you're facing? How long have they been coaching? What kind of successes have their clients achieved?
Depending on what you’re up to, finding a coach with relevant experience can be valuable and bring specific industry or problem-centered expertise to the forefront. On the contrary, selecting a coach that doesn’t empathize with your situation can be a breath of fresh air and offer a new perspective.
Real life: For what it’s worth, I have nothing in common with some of my favorite and highest-achieving clients. I love them and I love their willingness to empower our coaching partnership.
In selecting my current coach, it was important for me to work with a male coach who was 2-3 levels above where I currently was. One of my original goals was around exploring and deepening my relationship with masculinity and it was important to share vulnerable space with someone who ‘got it’. Additionally, I wanted someone I could bounce ideas off of and who brought a level of professionalism and experience in business that inspired me.
3. Credentials
Currently (updated: Oct 2024), the best and worst part about the coaching industry is that there are no regulations about who can call themselves a coach. What that means is that there are a lot of powerful and experienced coaches doing good work without a credential. It also means there are a lot of frauds with no formal training or experience. Comparing this practice to other industries - you can’t call yourself a sport psychologist or surgeon without degrees and licensing. And the word ‘coach’ is typically a more appealing and digestible title than ‘consultant’.
Below are the basics to be aware of. The industry standard accreditation organization is the International Coaching Federation (ICF for short). The ICF distinguishes between three different levels of coaches, each with their own level of experience, training, and competence (see Minimum Skill Requirements by Credential here).
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Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – Completed 60 hours of coach-specific education and 100 hours of client coaching experience
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Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – Completed 125 hours of coach-specific education and 500 hours of client coaching experience
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Master Certified Coach (MCC) – Hold or have held a PCC Credential, completed 200 hours of coach-specific education and 2,500 hours of client coaching experience
Disclaimer: Just like any other field… just because the person has their MCC doesn’t mean they are the right coach for you. You are the best judge in making the ‘fit’ decision. See point #1.
4. Area of Focus
When looking for a coach, it's also important to consider their area of focus, or their niche. They may have a specific focus of helping you develop as a leader, grow your business, evolve spiritually, or deepen your romantic relationship. A scroll through their social media and read through their website should answer if you are their ideal client. More importantly, do you identify and resonate with the way they speak, write, or hold themselves?
5. Coaching Structure
Structure defines how you will work together. How many sessions per month. The length of each session. The coaching program approach. Auxiliary apps, portals, and support. Boundaries and access to communicate via text, voice message, and email outside of scheduled sessions.
My take: Be mindful of vanity here - no amount of PDF worksheets or personalized videos guarantees your success. You’ve got to do the work. Powerful coaching cannot be replaced and the best coach for you is the one that supports you in getting what you want in the simplest, fastest and most enjoyable way.
6. Price
Working with a coach on a monthly basis can range anywhere between $300 to $10,000+ depending on a range of variables. Before going into your search, consider the budget you have allocated to work with a coach.
My take: The price should stress you slightly, but not sink you. In other words, a bit of sticker shock is healthy. Why? Because behavior change is challenging and without something to disrupt our homeostasis, we risk investing in a coach and staying exactly the same. Also, if growing your income is one of your goals, then hiring a coach that makes you financially uncomfortable could be the first breakthrough you have with money.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Choosing the right coach is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider, including demographics, experience, area of focus, and most importantly, the energetic exchange between you and the coach. By taking the time to find the right coach for YOU, you'll set yourself up for success both now and in the future.
PRACTICES AND QUESTIONS:
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Ask: What am I using coaching for? Do I want a coach, or am I defaulting to feeling like I need one?
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After speaking with a prospective coach, ask the following questions:
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Do I believe this person can support me in achieving my goals?
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Do I feel energized and empowered after speaking to this person? Am I inspired by the work we’ll do together?
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Create a list of characteristics you need in your next coach. Create a list of characteristics you want in your next coach. Define the experience of coaching you want. Discuss each of these with your prospective coach during your next conversation - a good service provider will help you identify characteristics, even if it means they aren't the one you ultimately hire.
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Describe your ideal coaching structure. Consider the number of sessions, price, length of sessions, preferred access, and other features that would make your experience extraordinary. Be an informed buyer, but be open to it going differently.
