5 Suggestions For Finding The Right Coach For You

Having a coach is not a necessity, but an investment in yourself. They can provide a shortcut to achieving your goals, instead of trial and error on your own. They can provide valuable support when you are making significant changes in your life. But with so many coaches available, how do you find the right one for you? Here are some suggestions to consider when searching for a coach:

1. Have you identified your needs? What specific areas do you want to focus on with a coach? Do you want to make a career transition, improve communication, or get a promotion? Identifying your needs will help you find a coach with the relevant experience and expertise.
2. Do they understand what it takes to achieve your goals? Check their credentials and ensure they have relevant experiences that are aligned with your needs. For example, I have experience in Product Management in startups and big tech companies so I can help with interview prep and navigating complex organizations, but I can't help with entrepreneurship.
3. While coaches should have relevant experience in your field, not every former experienced professional makes a good coach. Look for coaches who have a strong track record of helping others achieve their goals. Ask for references or to speak with past clients to get a sense of the coach's effectiveness and style. This will give you valuable insights into what it is like to work with them and whether they are the right fit for you.
4. Are they able to connect with you on a personal level? Schedule an intro call and find out. They need to pay attention to your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and general well-being to individualize communication and motivation that are specific to you.
5. Do you feel comfortable with the coach? Can you feel a connection and rapport with them? How does their energy feel? Do you feel their positive attitude and enthusiasm? Are they able to motivate and inspire you? In addition to an intro call, read their previous articles to get a sense of their personality.

I hope these tips are helpful. What else would you look for in a coach?

This article first appeared on my LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-suggestions-finding-right-coach-you-nancy-chu/