subject: No Recall On Bad Coaching ~ Getting It Right The First Time [print this page] No Recall On Bad Coaching ~ Getting It Right The First Time
With all the talk in the news about Toyota and its recall issues, it occurred to me that in my profession there is no recall! That is, if a coach fails to deliver the client has little recourse except to move on. We all understand there may be extenuating circumstances that may dictate terminating a relationship. Most relationships are terminated for two reasons: 1) They have succeeded or; 2) They have failed.What this really means is that the selection process, for both the coach and the prospective client, is not just a preliminary activity, but a critical activity. How do you go about picking the 'right' coach? Here are some steps you can take to make sure your fit with your coach is the right one:1. Seek referrals from those who've had success! Talk to the people who've had that success. Ask them why they chose that particular coach. Was it because the coach had experience working within a particular niche or segment? Was it because the coach had received coach training? Was it because they resonated with one another? What was the reason?2. If you don't know anyone who's had a coach, don't do a general Google search. The results will boggle your mind! I would suggest you to go ICF's website at: http://www.coachfederation.org/ and do a search for the type of coach you're seeking and start here.3. Research the prospects you've acquired. Go the their website and take the time to read about who they are, what kind of experience they have, and most importantly why they've chosen to be a coach. There should be a passion around coaching. How did the site make you feel? First impressions (whether online, face-to-face, or phone) are important! Did the site make you feel comfortable? Did you feel the coach understood your challenges and would be able to coach you through those challenges? Take the time to read the Testimonial page and see who is giving the testimonials. Are these people in the coach's niche market? What type of words do they use to describe the coach and the coaching process? Do these words resonate with you?4. Narrow the list down to two (unless you've had several people recommend the same coach). Contact these two coaches either via email or phone. Most coaches offer a 20 or 30 minute complimentary session. Take advantage of this! It's a great time to see if you connect with the coach and to see if the coach connects with you. You can also discuss how the coaching process will work during this session. Now, if you reach out to a potential coach and they do not get back to you within 24 business hours (unless it's a weekend) then you need to decide if this is the coach for you. This is the conversation that will tell you if you want to work with this coach. Have your questions ready.5. After the session take 10 minutes to record your thoughts: Did you feel a connection with the coach? Did you get your questions answered? Did the coach connect with you? Write down how you felt. Put aside for a couple of hours.6. Sit down and pull out another piece of paper. Record now how you feel. Answer the questions above again. Do you still feel the same way? Compare it with your original sheet.7. If you have additional questions at this point, reach out to the coach and get clarification.8. At this point you can confidently go forward. Invest in yourself. Hire the coach!! Then relax and get ready to grow.
