Five Things To Consider Before Hiring An Executive Coach

5 Things to Think About When Hiring an Executive Coach

getty

An acquaintance of mine, who was a shop teacher, was asked by the school principal to coach tennis. He agreed to do so, despite never having played a game of tennis in his life.

Imagine being coached to play tennis by a guy who has never even hit a tennis ball?

Crazy, right?

Yet, everyday people choose to work with executive coaches who have never been in the situation they’re in. When looking for coaches, people see that someone has a certificate and they think, “Hey, this guy (or gal) must know what they’re doing.”

Maybe they know what they’re doing or maybe they don’t. Most of you don’t have the time or money to waste on someone who can’t help you rapidly get where you want to go.

So, if you’ve never worked with an executive coach and you’re interested in exploring what this might look like, where do you start?

Begin with your objectives. What would you like to achieve as a result of working with a coach? Think about the most important challenges you are facing right now. How would your life be better if you were able to overcome these challenges?

Think about what success in your career looks like to you from your vantage point now. Where are you now and where would you like to be a year from today? How about three years from now? Then, work backwards.

Are you in need of a particular skill that you’re currently lacking? Can a coach help you master this skill, or do you need to take a different route, like going back to school or taking some online courses?

Have you received feedback about a particular behavior that might be holding you back? Is the feedback valid? If so, are you ready to address this issue? If the answer is no, now’s not the time to engage a coach.

Find a coach with real-life business experience. Your friend’s life coach might be great. However, your objectives may be very different than that of your friend. You need someone who has been where you want to go. That person should have proven processes and practices and a track record for getting results.

Seek out someone who isn’t afraid to challenge your thinking. Too many people are more concerned about finding a coach they feel comfortable working with. If you really want to experience growth, find someone who is willing to make you feel uncomfortable at times. You may not walk away from this coaching relationship with another friend, but that’s okay. You’ve got enough friends. What you need is someone willing to tell you the truth.

Be realistic about the outcome. Coaches aren’t miracle workers. Improvement takes time and only happens to those who are willing to put in the work.