Skills and Accreditation
Even if someone has been highly successful running a business or department does not mean they will be highly successful as a business coach. Likewise if someone is married doesn’t mean they have the skills to be a successful dating coach.
A coach is a role model. You would not expect to be coached by someone in business, if they had no experience in business either as an executive or as the owner. Likewise you would not want to be coached by someone who has failed businesses as their only claim to fame.
Therefore it is very important that you check out a coach’s experience prior to working with them.
For instance - if you are looking at appointing a life coach with the main objective of spending more time with your family, you might ask these questions of your coach? Who is your coach? Am I able to speak with your coach for a reference check?
Are you or have you coached someone with similar outcomes I am looking for? What were the results? Do you have any testimonials I can read from clients?
Coaching is a very specific skill. You need to make sure that your coach has (on top of their professional experience) attended specific coach training.
Questions to ask – where did you get your skills to be a coach? Do you have any formal coach training?
It is also a skill that needs constant development. Every coach should be updating their skills on a regular basis.
Ask your would-be coach – what was the last seminar you attended on coaching? What books are you currently reading? How often do you update your coaching skills?
When you interview your coach, you also need to pay close attention to how actively they listen to you. For example - did they interrupt you when you were speaking? Did they ask you questions to really get to the crux of the matter? When the coach spoke was it clear and concise and with purpose? Did you believe in what they had to say?
After you interview your coach – if you do not feel their answers are satisfactory – do not appoint them. At the end of the day, coaching is a two-way relationship. The investment in your time and the time of your coach should have measurable results attached to it. Your coach will be someone to hold you accountable to reach your objectives. If you enter the relationship with any doubts – then the value of the coaching will be much less.