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No
matter what your goal is, there’s a coach that’s right for you!
Visit the New England Chapter of the International Coach Federation
(www.icfne.org)
or the International Coach Federation (www.coachfederation.org)
to read about coaches in New England and around the world.
After
you make a list of coaches that appeal to you, follow this Top Ten to
find the perfect coach for your needs.
1.
Interview
the coach.
Most professional
coaches offer a complimentary coaching session or consultation.
Use this time, or your preliminary contact with them, to ask
questions. Consider what answers are the most important to you.
Some questions will come up from the other tips, but a good place
to start is:
What brought you into the profession of coaching?
How long have you been a coach?
How many clients have you had?
Do you have a coach?
What is your coaching specialty?
2.
The
“click.”
The importance of
being able to "click" with the coach outweighs almost
everything else. If you do
not get along with the coach, you will not be able to work
collaboratively. If you do
not click with that particular coach during the complimentary coaching
session or consultation, ask her/him to give you the name of other
coaches you could contact. Be prepared to keep looking until you find the coach that is
the best fit for you.
3.
Professionalism.
A coach is there to
support you. The value you
receive from the relationship is equal to the partnership you are
prepared to create. Coaching
is about creating possibilities and turning these possibilities into
actions to create your best life. At
all times, your coach should act from a place of integrity.
If you are in any doubt about this, discuss it with your coach or
find another.
4.
Check
the contract details.
Although some
coaches do not have a formal contract, seek out something in writing,
even in letter form, and be clear on all the details. These should include:
Confidentiality
The agreed fee structure, payment
schedule and length of coaching sessions
Discontinuance of coaching relationship
Any agreed specifics that are important
to you
5.
Check
their coaching philosophy and model.
Another question to
ask a prospective coach is about their coaching approach or philosophy.
You could also get a feel for this by viewing their website,
subscribing to ezines or newsletters they produce, attending teleclasses
they lead or by seeing them in person during a presentation.
6.
Availability
and location.
Be sure your coach
works the times and days that fit into your schedule without discomfort.
Anything that gets in the way of the openness of the relationship
will hinder it. If location is important to you, seek out a coach
nearby. Quite a lot of coaching is done over the telephone so location
can be irrelevant --
consider what works best for you.
7.
Client
extras.
Does the coach have
any additional features or benefits only available to their clients?
(e.g., a toll-free phone
number, client area on website, ezines, client group coaching, etc.)
8.
Credentialing
and accreditation.
The International
Coach Federation (www.coachfederation.org)
supports a formal credentialing process known as the Professional
Certified Coach credential and Master Certified Coach credential.
At the moment, these are the highest standards a coach can
achieve. The ICF also
accredits a number of training institutions and a complete list is
available at their website. In
addition, many schools offer their own accreditation process.
9.
Trained
versus not trained.
As the profession of
coaching is new, many coaches have acquired their skills through a
lifetime of experiences and have not attended formal training
institutions. Check out
their background and any formal training they might have had from
schools listed at the ICF website.
10.
Do
your research.
By following the
tips above, you will be able to find a great coach to work with!
For the coaching relationship to be even more powerful, be as
clear as possible on what it is you are hoping to gain.
It may be that you want to achieve work/life balance, reduce
stress in your life, build solid relationships with everyone around you,
increase your income, make a career change, get support in starting a
new business or expand your existing business, make an international
relocation, move through a transition with ease - consider what is
important to you and find the coach that matches it.
The
value of finding the perfect coach for you is immeasurable!
There are many, many great coaches working throughout the world
so be sure that you take the time to find the professional coach that is
right for you. Above all, have fun and enjoy the journey!
Written
by Nancy Morris.
Copyright
97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 2002 CoachVille
To
find a coach and learn more about coaching or becoming a coach, visit
the New England Chapter of the International Coach Federation at www.icfne.org
or the International Coach Federation at www.coachfederation.org |