“For my part, there is only traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart.” — Don Juan, Apprentice to a Yaqui Sorcerer
So, you want to hire a coach. How do you choose the right one?
Coaching has become more and more common for high-achieving individuals in just about every sector. There’s a good reason why — it delivers. According to one study, the median ROI on coaching is 7x the investment.
With metrics like that, it’s easy to see why so many people want to hire a coach. However, that doesn’t mean you should sign up with the first one you find.
Like most things in life, coaching is not a “one size fits all” solution. While ultimately the choice is yours, here are some considerations that can help you find the right coach for you:
How to Hire a Coach — Tip 1: Listen to Your Heart
This might be the most important consideration of all when choosing a coach.
Do you ever just get a good feeling when you talk to someone? Or on the flip side, do you ever just get a bad feeling? Listen to it. Don’t dismiss what your heart tells you. Your intuition is more powerful than you realize. (Curious about how high-powered individuals use intuition? Check out my podcast episode with Jason Apollo Voss.)
Yes, there are certain criteria that should be met before you sign up with a coach. But in the end, it will come down to an indescribable “simpatico” that your heart will feel. Trust yourself to make the right choice for you.
How to Hire a Coach — Tip 2: Communication is Key
It’s the sad truth — most people don’t have good follow-up skills.
But there’s good news, too — if you DO have good follow-up skills, that alone can elevate you above the majority of your peers. It’s a vital part of your networking toolkit — and one of the keys to success in any field. If you can show up and follow up, you’ve done most of the work already.
If you want to hire a coach, make sure that they can show up for you.
After you met, did they follow up with you? Did they remember your name and who you are? Don’t put in the time to make someone part of your life if they aren’t able to offer you this basic respect.
How to Hire a Coach — Tip 3: Look For Credentials
Is your potential coach certified? This is a question worth asking before you hire a coach.
The International Coaches Federation (ICF) is the governing body for coaching. If your prospective coach has been through a school/training program that has been certified by the ICF then you can bet your bottom dollar that the coach has had rigorous training and is well prepared to be a coach. The ICF also gives the credentials of Associate Certified Coach (ACC) which means that the coach has been properly trained, and has been approved of by Master Certified Coaches and has coached over 100 hours.
That being said, I think that there IS something more important than credentials…
Has your potential coach faced their own dragons?
Coaching has been transformative for me — I have personally been coached by some incredible individuals. Not all of them have been credentialed in the technical sense, but my most powerful and productive sessions have been with coaches who have been willing to sit in the discomfort of doing their own work.
Personally, I’d rather have a coach with experience than credentials!
How to Hire a Coach — Tip 4: Consider Their Niche
At the end of the day, you want to find a coach that’s compatible with your dreams and ambitions. If your goal is to be the best public speaker, then it doesn’t make sense to hire a coach who’s going to teach you how to fish.
My time on Wall Street working with high-powered executives helped me establish my niche. I was receiving coaching at the time, and it was transformative to me. I saw that so many individuals in this world could benefit from this type of coaching, which inspired me to focus on these sectors.
Because I focus mainly in these spheres, I have become intimately familiar with the struggles posed to these individuals. This focus helps me target my efforts so that every coaching session is as effective and beneficial as possible.
How to Hire a Coach — Tip 5: Testimonials
You probably wouldn’t go to a restaurant that had bad Yelp reviews. Take the time to see what people are saying about a coach before you hire them!
What’s the word on the street? Is your prospective coach well respected in their community? Is there field-tested public approval? Track record means everything. And we’re not talking about the occasional out-of-character bad review — some people will not be successful, and try to blame it on their coach. But you want a proven track record of positive experiences. Reputation is everything, and to make sure you’re making the right choice for you.
Want to Hire a Coach? Do Your Due Diligence!
Hiring a coach is a powerful step that can improve your career and your life. It’s not something that should be taken lightly, so don’t just hire the first coach you come across on Google!
Take the time to consider your needs — and if your potential coach seems in alignment. Remember, these tips and considerations are merely a starting point — ultimately, the decision will be personal and based on what serves you best.
Interested in taking the next step with coaching? At The Wall Street Coach, our experienced coaches work to help you push through the mental barriers that are holding you back so that you can achieve the freedom, wealth, and fulfillment you desire. I invite you to reach out today to connect with my team!
What traits do you find most valuable in a coach?
