How to choose a coach?

Coaching is a felt experience. It’s an energy exchange at its core. How does a coach make me feel? This is a really important part of the choosing process.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not just about feeling good. I may need to feel challenged. Or taken out of my comfort zone. Depending on what my need is I need to keep my senses open and decide if the coaching experience delivers on that need. Listen to your intuition and trust it.

What are the coach’s credentials? An ICF or EMCC-certified or credentialed coach would make sense. It is a quality assurance that says “this person practices coaching in a way that is consistent with a set of best practices”. There are a host of other professional coaching schools like Marshal Goldsmith’s for instance, that also assure quality. So, do check the background of the coach you are hiring.

Am I looking to solve a very specific problem? If yes then finding a coach who has walked that path ahead of me would help. If I wanted a weight loss coach, I would look for someone with a track record in that area. If I wanted a coach to help me get a promotion and grow in the communication industry then I would look for someone who has navigated those roads well.

Does experience matter? Am I looking for a broad range of offerings or am I happy with a reliable way to get from point A to B? This probably links to the question - should I get myself an ACC, PCC, or MCC Coach? The width, depth, and experience of an MCC are what mastery of the art and skill of coaching offers. The broad range of skills, knowledge, and experience that a coach can tap into as they move up the ladder of mastery, is what you can benefit from.

The experience and mastery of a coach grow as the credential levels increase. But this is not about how good the coach is, it’s about how good the coach is for you. The most important thing is to focus on what works for you.

I guess the way I would look at it is to use a car analogy. Take your coach for a test drive. A hatchback, a sedan, or a super luxury car will all get you from point A to B. Depending on your need, how long the journey is going to be and your budget you get to choose. Depending on the terrain, road conditions, and personal preference take them all for a test drive and decide which one is best for you. If you are not a car person, maybe the way to look at it through the lense of a coffee lover. What is the brew that gets you going? Cappuccino, Americano, Flat White, Filter, or a double Espresso shot... give them all a try, and then you get to decide.

Photo credit : Nathan Dumlao, unsplash