Choosing The Perfect Coach
So, you're ready to start coaching. You either have some issues that you think a coach can help you overcome, or you just think it's time for a quality of life tune-up. You've reviewed your budget and set aside some money to cover the fees and you've ascertained that you are reasonably free of any serious mental or emotional issues that might interfere with the process. But now comes the big question: "How can I find a coach that's right for me?"
To Niche Or Not To Niche?
For starters, you need to know what kind of coach you want to work with. Do you want a generalist or someone who specializes in your issue or lifestyle? Some professionals hang out the shingle of a "life coach" and field anything and everything that comes their way, within their own personal standards and competencies. Others specialize so tightly that you wonder how they can find a big enough market to stay in business (and yet, they do!). A generalist can be great if you're not sure what your main issue is, or if you want the freedom to move around from one life issue to another over a wide range of areas and subjects, whereas a specialist is perfect for someone who wants to concentrate on a very specific segment of their life or activities. And for every possible niche, problem, situation or person there are at least a handful of coaches - parenting coaches, menopause coaches, family coaches, business coaches, family business coaches, custody coaches and coaches for single dad's who own their own business and who want to be better fathers and businessmen (see what I mean about a narrow market wedge?). If you live it, run it, do it or live through it there's a coach out there who works with people just like you.
Quack or Jack?
One thing you should know before setting off to find a coach is that as of this writing (9/04), there is no consistent or required certification process for coaches in America (or in many other countries, that I know of). However, that does not mean that the industry is full of fakes and fumblers. As in many professions, lack of credentials do not necessarily indicate a lack of skills and ability any more than a wall full of degrees guarantees them.
Currently, the International Coaching Federation and the International Association of Coaches are the top two certifying boards in America. However, since coach certification itself is so new, very few coaches have been certified to date. This means that there are thousands of perfectly competent and even gifted coaches out there with no "papers" to speak of. So how do you tell a good coach from a bad one? The only real way to tell is to do your homework. Ask for references from prior clients. Check to see if the coach in question is a registered member of any of the ethical regulating boards, such as the IAC or ICF. If your coach gets results, doesn't cross any ethical lines (diagnosing mental illness, offering guarantees of improvement, crossing personal/professional boundaries, etc) and fits well with your personality and way of being, then you are probably in good hands.
Be Vewwy Vewwy Quiet - I'm Hunting Coaches
Now that you've narrowed down your choice, it's time to go on the hunt for a few coaches who meet your requirements on availability, price and personality. Of course, word of mouth is always the best way to find any professional service provider, as they come prescreened and pre-approved by people you trust. If you don't know anyone who can recommend a coach, one of the easiest ways to find one is through a coach referral system. Be sure the referring site's requirements for listing submissions meet your personal guidelines for coaches - some sites require little more than a submission fee. A few of the more popular and reputable coach referral sites are Coachville, the International Association of Coaches, the International Coach Federation, and the European Coaching Institute.
Check out the prospective coach's profile and their website, if they have one. Do they inspire a feeling of competence and professionalism? Read through any articles or other material they have written to get a feel for what sort of person they are and if their views and outlook mesh with yours.
See if they offer a free initial interview - most do - and set up a call with your top picks. Come prepared with a list of questions you want to ask - don't forget to inquire about price, frequency of sessions, between session support such as emails and brief phone calls and anything else that you can think of that gives you pause. Share any fears and concerns you have with the coach and pay attention to how they answer as much as what they say. Are they evasive, or effusive? Do they make sure they understand your question completely before answering or do they give you a canned speech? Are they warm and inviting or brusque and fast-paced?
You'll have to decide for yourself who fits your personality best - ask about cancellation policies if you're worried about getting "stuck" in a coaching relationship - but if you follow these guidelines you'll have a sound start on your next great adventure - exploring you. Bon voyage!
(c) Soni Pitts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.
She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:25:52 GMT Sign of the times - BBC News
BBC News - As Russia and the West warn of a new Cold War after the Georgian conflict, the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley in Moscow tries to imagine what it would look like. European Union to Hold Urgent Meeting on Russia last straw" for Russia Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:10:28 GMT S. Ossetia to be absorbed into Russia - United Press International
United Press International - TSKHINVALI, Georgia, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- South Ossetia says it will become part of Russia and host Russian military bases under a new agreement. Video: UN does have double standards Kremlin announces that South Ossetia will Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:01:52 GMT Experts: Silver lining for ‘viable’ Mitt Romney - Boston Herald Boston Herald - By Edward Mason Mitt Romney - once a top contender to be John McCain’s running mate - may have suffered a bruised ego when he was passed over for the little known Gov. It's not Pawlenty, it's Palin Pawlenty, after the pick, another day at fair Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:13:29 GMT Obama campaign buoyed by convention - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - He sees an unusually strong jump in support after the carefully choreographed event in Denver. By Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer DENVER -- Amy Pearl is the sort of Democrat who made the Barack Obama campaign nervous. Look out, Palin The Hillary factor . . . Hillary supporters aren't bitter; they're concerned Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:48 GMT Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads - New York Times
New York Times - By BRIAN STELTER Comcast, one of the country’s largest Internet providers, said this week that it would place limits on customers’ broadband usage. Comcast's Answer to ... Critics Question Comcast Broadband Caps Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:08:14 GMT US Oil, Gas Producers, Pipelines Brace for Gustav (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Margot Habiby Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc plan to finish shutting oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and Enbridge Energy Partners LP will close pipelines as Hurricane Gustav gains strength and moves ... More volatility seen with hurricane, payrolls Airlines bounce as oil gives up early gains Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:21:02 GMT Hurricane Gustav Strengthens, Accelerates, Heads for Cuba, Gulf - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Patrick Donahue and Robin Stringer Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Gustav strengthened and picked up speed as it headed toward western Cuba and the US Gulf Coast cities ravaged by Katrina and Rita in 2005, after lashing the Cayman Islands with ... Video: Gustav Follows Katrina's Path Some leave Gulf Coast ahead of likely evacuations Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:40:06 GMT More Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... January is the king of months for those looking to... Read More Seems like a gal always learns something out on the... Read More Passion is a feeling of excitement and intensity. The energy... Read More Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More At a recent networking meeting Jana asked for a recommendation... Read More I talk and write a lot about Life Design ?... Read More Have you ever thought about how sheep get lost? Even... Read More Coaches rely heavily on their voice to service clients. If... Read More He was just a teenager, but he was already displaying... Read More Professional athletes and other highly successful people use the power... Read More 'Have you read the Art of War?' someone asked me... Read More Although many of us use self-help tools like affirmations, visualizations,... Read More Whether it is irritability or unmitigated rage, anger is an... Read More Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 29,... Read More How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More How often do you hear a parental voice in your... Read More Recently, I worked with a client who was having a... Read More Have you ever thought about what really creates self-esteem? Having... Read More Thoughts are real things. As soon as you realize how... Read More Small talk used to be really hard work for me.... Read More When we are ill and don't know it, we are... Read More Remember that Coke contest from the 80s? If you collected... Read More An age old battle in improv that I believe resonates... Read More
Adsense
websites
Where to Begin?
Let?s Say You?re a Dog. Are You So Competitive You?d Eat a Carrot?
Passport to Passion
Is Your Life In Motion?
What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!
How Coaches Find Clients Online
Who Are You Mixing It With?
Sheep Do Not Start Out Lost
Voice Care for Coaches
Success Coaching - What Bill Gates and You Should Have In Common
The Power of Visualization
Make Your Life Easier?
How To Overcome Stuck States In Personal Growth
Communicating Anger Compassionately
Solution-Focused Therapy
Lovers Remorse
How Could Choosing to Not Do It All Enhance Your Impact?
Are You Controlling or Loving Yourself?
Be A Champion Communicator by Becoming a Chameleon
The Secret of Self-Esteem
The Non-Conscious Mind at Work. Harness it for Your Success
3 Keys to Making Small Talk Easy to Do
Finding Peace: A Taste of Mindfulness
THE Step to Working Smarter (Japanese Style)
Coaching vs. Directing - How Does Improv Theater Suggest You Should Lead Your Team
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
What You See is What You Get
H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, Your mind can only... Read More
How To Give Criticism Without Bruising Egos
As responsible employers, parents, and friends, we have an obligation... Read More
A Live It
Real change happens only when it becomes part of our... Read More
Coaching Skills Does Matter At Chick?fil-A
In this discussion, we talk about Coaching Skills with Phil... Read More
Throw a No-Heat Party for the Planet
Is it really possible to have loads of fun, and... Read More
Leading Grief Groups: The Preliminaries
Preparation: If you desire advertising the group, announcements need to... Read More
Leadership Coaching ? Easier Said Than done
Recently at a Pharmaceutical meeting in Europe, one of the... Read More
More Money & Less Stress?
At 2pm last Wednesday, I got a call from one... Read More
Personal Power
All of us would love to have personal power ?... Read More
Executive Coaching Case Studies
If you are wondering whether investment in executive coaching would... Read More
Handling Disappointment
Disappointment is an inevitable part of home-based business. Clients won't... Read More
Q-Tip It!
Back in the 1920's when Polish-American entrepreneur Leo Gerstenzang invented... Read More
Do You Ever Give Up Coaching Employees?
In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees.... Read More
Control, Helplessness, and Love
During my 35 years of counseling individuals, couples, families and... Read More
The Need to Feel Special
From the time Jennifer was a little child, she was... Read More
Attitude is Contagious - Would Anybody Want Yours?
Are you using the Life Potential you have been given?... Read More
Managing Performance Every Day
The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More
Coaching Can Help Teachers At A Crossroads In Their Careers
Teachers enter the profession with the desire to help others,... Read More
Do You Dither in Your Job Search?
I looked up the definition of "to dither" before writing... Read More
The Right Coach
Who is the Best Coach For Achieving Your Goals?A friend... Read More
Your Personal Treasure Chest
Sometimes it is helpful to review several of the basic... Read More
Mid Life Crisis, Life Transitions, & Ontological Coaching
Recently I have been watching a TV show called Blowout.... Read More
Mentors and Coaches: How to Find a Great Mentor
A career coach or mentor is a person who can... Read More
Life Coaching for Success and Fulfilment
We live in a world of rapid change and uncertainty.... Read More
How Empathy Can Reduce Your Anger
Jim, a 42-year old engineer was teaching his eight-year-old son... Read More
Coaching |