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"I
absolutely believe that people, unless coached, never reach their maximum
capabilities"
Bob Nardelli, CEO, Home Depot
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Go directly to coaching referral search engines
Forward to Deciding About Coaching
Choosing a coach is usually a pleasant task, and need not take a lot of time or effort. If you are wondering what to consider when choosing your coach, think about the following. Some of these considerations will be very important to you and others perhaps not at all.
Fit: Check for a fit between you and the coach in personality, preferred coaching style or philosophy, and specialty or focus areas.
Standards: Notice if the coachadheres to common sense professional standards and coaching ethics. If you consider their credentials (see below) and find them trained, certified or well experienced in the areas that concern you, you will find most of the coaches you consider do easily meet these professional standards. However, you may be concerned if a coach:
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Gives you a hard sell on their coaching |
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Coaches in a way or about a topic that is more appropriate for therapy (if the coach is not also a licensed therapist) |
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Attempts to give you advice in areas where they lack professional credentials |
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Pressures you to follow their advice about your life or business |
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Gives you a reason to question his or her standards of confidentiality |
Credentials: Coaching, like consulting, is not a regulated industry. Anyone can call themselves a coach, and attach a variety of meanings to the term.
To the extent that credentials matter to you in your selection of a coach, you may consider their coaching experience and where they received coach training. You may also be interested in the International Coach Federation list of accredited training programs. If it is relevant to your choice, find out what other education, work experience or life experience the coach brings to his or her profession.
Check this page for my background, credentials and affiliations.
References, Materials, Services, Policies: You may ask to speak to other clients the coach has worked with. Because of confidentiality requirements, most coaches do not publish a client list, but they should be happy to provide you with names of individuals or organizations who have agreed to be a reference for their coaching experience.
Some clients will also consider:
What coaching formats are available (on-site, telephone, email, etc.)
Whether the coach provides a free sample session before committing to coaching
A minimum coaching commitment (for example, some coaches require a six-month coaching commitment for some or all of their coaching programs)
Satisfaction policies
Articles or books the coach has published, classes or other services provided, or materials and resources available at the coach's website
Check this page for my coaching policies, fees and formats.
There are several avenues for finding a coach to meet your needs.
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Ask friends and colleagues or other professionals (such as consultants or trainers) for referrals |
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Ask coaches you know to recommend other coaches to consider. I will be happy to recommend coaches in your area of focus if you request. |
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Find potential matches on coach referral sites, including |
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Use internet search engines to search for professional coaches who specialize in the area you want to be coached on (in this case you may want to pay extra attention to the keys to choosing a coach). |
Forward to Deciding About Coaching
See what some of my clients have done with coaching
Send mail to
Deanna@Auroracoaching.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
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