Finding the right coach for you

So, you’re ready to work with a coach. Great! Welcome to the next step of your personal development journey. 

If you’ve already done some research, you’ll have noticed a wide selection of coaches available to you–an overwhelming feeling if you’re unsure of where to begin. If you’re looking for advice, keep reading. I hope that by the end I’ll have answered most of your burning questions!

Let’s start with the basics; what is coaching?  The International Coaching Federation, defines coaching as:

‘Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential’.

Jela Begonja Kovacevic has written a great piece on coaching and what to expect. If you want to learn more about coaching, we highly recommend reading her article. 

In this article, we’re going to explore how you find the right coach for you, once you’ve decided that coaching is something you want to invest in. 

With this in mind, before you begin the coaching process, spend time questioning: 

• ‍The why. Why am I seeking a coach right now? What has led me here? In which area(s) of my life do I feel the need for change? Am I open to change? ‍
• The outcome. What do I hope to gain from this experience? What is my ideal outcome in this area(s) of my life? How do I want to feel about this area(s) in my life?

Once you have more clarity on your reason for embarking on this journey, create a list of criteria. This will help provide a way forward that is suited to your life. For example: 

• Ease of access. Are you looking for in-person conversations or could they be online?
• Your availability. What day and time works best for you? 
• Availability of the coach. How soon and how frequently would you like to speak with a coach?
• Your budget. Have an idea of what you are willing to spend. 
• The educational or professional background of the coach. How important is it that your coach has a similar professional and personal background to you?
• Coaching style. Take some time to consider the style of coaching that you would like: are you looking for a high energy, motivational coach, someone who is gentle and nurturing, and so on?

One of the most essential criteria to look at is the accreditation of a coach. Before getting started with a coach request to see your coach’s accreditation and/or request to see reviews from previous clients. At Intogreat, all our coaches are accredited and they have shared reviews on their profile making the experience as transparent as possible. 

Another thing to bear in mind is the type of coaching you’re seeking. Coaching is a ‘container’ concept and you can be coached in different areas of your life. Some examples include:

• Life coaching, Relationship coaching, Family coaching
• Career coaching, Business coaching, Team coaching
• Mindfulness coaching, Health coaching

With more to mention! You can see why it’s important to know your ‘why’ and what you’re hoping to achieve before getting started.

How to determine if they’re the right coach for you.

Once you’ve narrowed it down, the next step is to see if a coach is right for you. I’d suggest starting with an introduction call.  At Intogreat, we offer a free 15-minute introduction call with all our coaches because we know how important connection and chemistry are to the coaching relationship. The call is primarily meant to see if there is a fit in purpose and personality. During the call, keep the following questions in mind: 

• Does this coach have a clear plan (methodology and tools)? 
• How do I feel about their coaching style? 
• Do I feel that this coach is capable of helping me achieve my goals?

Think of the introduction call as a first date. Is there a match? Trust your gut feeling when answering this question.

What to do if I feel that I’ve picked the wrong coach?

It’s important to align on the rules of engagement with your coach right from the beginning. Most coaches will talk about transparency in all forms of communication. If you feel that you are not connecting with your coach, you need to be transparent and bring it up as soon as possible. Every coach at Intogreat has prior experience of working with a client and sensing that they might not be the right fit or that their relationship has come to a natural end. If you feel this way, and having this conversation with your coach feels daunting, we recommend that you refer back to the rules of engagement that you designed with your coach at the beginning of your process. 

My final note to you is remember that coaching is an investment in yourself. You’re buying an experience that will impact your future. I know from experience that your future self will thank you for making this investment; it’s worth it, so what are you waiting for? 

I hope this answers some of your questions regarding coaching. If you’re still feeling unsure, get in touch with me: anita@intogreat.net.

If you want to discover more about Anita, check out her podcast episode - A Blueprint for Change.