Before committing to any product or service, it is very important to know if it actually works!
Yet, when it comes to coaching, the answer can be complicated. In this blog, I will share 6 questions to help you figure out if coaching would be likely to help you or not.
First, let’s draw a comparison: how do we know if football coaches are helpful? Well, we could say, in general, they are very helpful and even vital to have if you want to be a football player. But, there are some football coaches that might teach bad technique and set you back. Not all coaches have the same knowledge, skill, or dedication. Some might see coaching as a side job they do for fun. And even if the coach is phenomenal, if an athlete doesn’t show up to do the work, put in their best effort, and follow through with the training, they won’t be successful.
So how do you know who will help you succeed? As a life coach who has also had my own life coaches, I ask the following six questions to determine who is a quality coach and up to my own standard.
- What kind of training have you received? Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a coach and have no actual qualifications. They might be good at convincing people to buy their coaching, but that doesn’t mean they can help you overcome challenges and succeed at your goals. Always ask how long their training was, how much they have invested in their training if they have their own coach, and if they pay for anyone to supervise their work.
- How long have you been a coach? Coaches won’t come right out and tell you if they started coaching as a passion project, or because they hate their day job. According to statistics, 81% of life coaches quit in the first three years because they are not making enough money to sustain themselves. If you want a coach that actually knows how to achieve success in their own life (before guiding you), I recommend only working with someone who has been in the field for at least five years.
- Do you have another job as well, or do you just coach? If a coach has another job, it means they are not practicing and investing as much time in coaching. This could be totally fine if their main job is in the field they want to go into. If you want to be an entrepreneur, by all means, hire someone who is already successful at that and coaches on the side. But if their other job is one they are trying to get out of and it is in an unrelated field, that is a big red flag.
- What do you do for ongoing professional development? In any industry, it is important to keep up with the latest knowledge, developments, and application for the field. Because there is no group that oversees and assures continued education for coaches, many coaches do not invest time and energy in their own growth. Ask the coach if they pursue additional certificates, attend conferences, or attend coaching development meetings.
- How do you think people change? The goal with this question is not that they have the one “right” answer because, in fact, people are complex, so there is no one right answer. The goal is that they actually can communicate how they will help you change, and do so in a way that is not overly complicated, makes sense to you, and leaves you with some clarity.
- Where can I find reviews from past clients? Graphics they made to post on their website are a start, but how do you know if they wrote their own reviews? Make sure they also use a system that has an independent verification process, like Bark, Yelp, or Google.
By asking these questions, you can gain valuable information that will save you tremendous amounts of time, energy, and frustration! It could potentially even help you avoid committing to a coach that might set you back further! You are your most valuable investment, so never settle for second best when it comes to your mind and your goals!