Thinking of hiring a coach? This can be a crucial decision in your personal growth and one you want to feel confident about. When trying to find fit, you may want to consider these nine questions when hiring a coach.
The questions I’m sharing are perfect when you think you’ve found the right coach or are looking into potential coaches to work with. Before this, you may want to get clear on what change you’re looking to make and what type of coach you’re looking to work with.
When considering a type of coach, the possibilities are endless. You can find a generic coach or a more specialized on. For example, a life coach is general, whereas a confidence or sexuality coach may be more specific. There’s a general career coach or one specialized in leaving your 9-5 to become an entrepreneur. Specialty coaches are generally a bigger investment, but not always.
Once you have your ideal coach in mind, and hopefully a couple options to work with, consider these questions when hiring a coach:
3 Questions to Ask Yourself when Hiring a Coach
Coaching is something you need to be ready for in order to get the most out of it. Be honest with yourself and possibly journal on the following questions.
Are you committed to change?
To be frank, if you half-ass your commitment, you won’t experience much change, no matter how awesome your coach if. I find clients are the most committed when feeling the pain of their current reality and can’t stand it any longer. You’re ready for the turning point. For example, you’re really fed up with work and a nasty email from your boss gives you the enthusiasm to get outta there – now you just want some support as you embark on that change.
Alternatively, you’re generally in an awesome place for coaching when you’ve already pivoted or made a big life change. Now, you’re in the hopeful energy that will carry you through the commitment. This may happen after a relationships ends and you’re healing the heartbreak. Now, you’re ready for a confidence coach to help you rise from the ashes – stronger than ever.
Ask yourself – are you committed? Why or why not?
Are you ready to invest?
Coaching requires you to make a major investment to yourself and your development. When thinking about hiring a coach, be realistic about what you can invest.
Of course, money is part of that equation, but you also want to consider how much time you can prioritize for this growth at the moment.
While coaching prices vary dramatically, you can expect to invest a few thousand dollars in private and group coaching programs. That can easily extend to tens of thousands when working with a specialized, badass, or well-known coach. You may also find things much cheaper. It varies!
If that’s not an investment you’re ready for, consider courses or budget group programs that fit your financial needs. You may also find that therapy, while different from coaching, may be a better financial fit.
How’s your decision making?
I encourage you to be ready to make a decision when you get the courage to book an introductory call with your potential coach. Do your research and work your way through the considerations I’ve laid out for you. By the time you connect, anticipate being able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ with confidence.
This can really work out to your benefit when working with a coach, like me, who may give you a discount or signing bonus when making a full or partial payment on the call, or within a given time period. It also helps you avoid fear and doubt creeping in over time and changing your original “yes!” to a “hmmm… maybe not.”
6 Questions to Consider About the Coach
When looking at a coach’s content or when you connect with them, consider the following:
Do you relate to their testimonials?
It seems a bit obvious to check out the testimonials and reviews of the coach you’re potentially wanting to work with, but it’s important to look at them critically. Testimonials are pretty motivating and can get you excited about what’s possible – but make sure it’s the result you’re looking for.
The reason it’s important to get clear on the results you’re looking for is because you want to look for that exact result in the testimonials. Are you wanting to feel confident in your body? Make sure there are testimonials that talk about that exact result.
Do they feel on a pedestal or “perfect?”
Listen, it’s great to have coaches that inspire you and who you look up to – whether it’s their remote lifestyle, lack of stress, or financial freedom. However, they’re still human!
I remember falling even more in love with one of my mentors when she loudly proclaimed that she was currently seeing three therapists – which is how she opened a weeklong retreat that changed my life.
All leaders and coaches have their struggles. It’s through sharing vulnerably that we connect and their lives feel real and attainable. It’s also great to have a coach who admits when they fail and share openly about clients that didn’t see results.
I’d keep an eye out for coaches who seem to have things together ALL the tie and see if it feels authentic to you.
Are they walking the talk?
This one can be a bit trickier to spot through the façade of social media and polished websites. However, knowing many coaches and influential people here in Bali, I’ve found myself shocked about how many don’t practice what they preach. When I notice this, it’s an immediate red flag.
Do they coach about the ease of feminine business but often seem overwhelmed by work? Are they a business coach without experience to backup their claims?
How do they make you feel?
Wanna know my biggest pet peeve about the personal development industry? They spend so much time trying to convince you that you’re broken and they can offer a magical solution. Avoid people who leave you feeling like crap!
Red flags here: When you feel bad about yourself when reading their posts. They say they have the only ‘secret solution’ that you’ll never find on your own (wrong, you’re capable of anything). They push advice and act like it’s “their way or the highway.” Yuck!
I look for coaches who always have me feeling like I’m a Rockstar and can do anything, all on my own, but would be amazing support to help me get there faster.
It feels personal
Ever reach out in the DM’s and get a generic or robotic response? Ew! Listen, I run multiple businesses and am pretty darn busy, so I get the desire for coaches to do this. But I connect personally with people who reach out.
Here’s my thought – if I hope you’ll want to make the investment of working with me, you best believe I can give you the time of day for a personalized response.
Beyond that, a conversation with a potential coach should feel a bit personalized. Heck, even most programs can be flexible enough to feel designed exactly for your needs. If you don’t feel like you fit into the program being offered, just say no. You’ll find a better fit elsewhere and will avoid the possible resentment when hiring the wrong coach (been there).
Be honest – Do you like them?
Real talk, do you see yourself having a drink with your potential coach or being friends? Even with and amazingly experienced coach, if you don’t feel a likability for them, you won’t get the desired results.
Sounds silly, but consider if you like their voice, would enjoy hanging out with that person, and whether you trust them. You’ll be spending a lot of important time together, which should be enjoyable.
So many of my clients and students have become my friends, which is another amazing blessing with doing this work.
At the end of the day, tune into your intuition and you’re body. So much of this comes down to what feels right for you and what lights you up. Try to avoid asking for other people’s opinions, especially if they haven’t invested in their own personal development before.
Coaching is a deeply personal experience and one that I think everyone should try! I’m not just saying this as a coach, but because of the growth I’ve accomplished with the many coaches I’ve worked with myself – and still do!
Yep, the personal growth route is a bit addicting, but it’s such a beautiful and wild journey!
Enjoy the ride,
