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One of the major challenges faced when choosing the best life coach is to find out what questions to ask. There are not many life coaches available with the right credentials as there are still developments taking place in the profession of coaching.
Experience - how much time has the person spent life coaching? Most people offering coaching services have experience as a counsellor, consultant, or something similar, but not as a coach! Therefore, it is important to find out the duration of time the person has spent coaching.
Training - get information about the specifics of the coaching training they received. Find out more about the coaching school they went to and the training method they went through. Was there an assessment process and did they learn the ICF core competencies? Are they developing their life coaching skills on an on-going basis and keeping their information up to date regarding latest global coaching trends?
Structure - well trained coaches will be able to articulate the structure of a life coaching session and series. They should be able to explain the different methodologies they might use, and the models these methodologies are based around. Structure and focus allows progress. However, with the right structure and models, a coach should still be highly skilled at 'being in the moment' with the client.
It cannot be concluded that a coaching session is always ad hoc, but what it means is that a life coach who is confident and has the right skills and intuition can be flexible while keeping focused.
Specialty - does the coach specialize in a particular field? Coaching training can be obtained for small business owners or for dealing with a complex business environment, also known as executive coaching. Some of the external coaches are more appropriate for team or group coaching.
Qualifications - it helps to find out more about any other qualifications the coach has. For instance, the life coach might have qualifications in psychology, or might have a background as a CEO. A coach with such additional qualifications might be more suited to your requirements.
The main factors to judge the credibility of a life coach are actually intangible. For example, perception, sense of judgement, integrity and diplomacy top the list of important qualities to check before hiring their services. Character and insight are perhaps the most important qualifications for any life coach and these come as much from personal experiences as through formal training. Carefully observe the chemistry between the coach and those who receive life coaching.
The qualities that you want to see in the people being coached, look for those in the coach. Find out if they have you want, and whether they practice all they preach.
Client references - ask your life coach to provide references from both those they have coached, and client companies they have worked for as a coach. Get permission to ring those referees and ensure you ask the things you need to ask, what was the outcome from the coaching - both measurable in business terms, as well as at a personal level? Did they achieve their desired outcomes? What particular strengths did the coach bring? What did the coach have that made them choose that coach? Would they contract them again as an external life coach?
This is all quite basic stuff, and it's just the stuff that I see overlooked quite often in the life coaching arena. For example, a friend was looking for a coach and coach trainer - after a rather weak analysis of what was on offer in the market place, the organisation decided on a sales trainer to deliver one on one coaching, and coach training! Why? Simply because he was already contracted on sales training work. What happened? A lot of money was spent and virtually no coaching skills were learned, practiced or supported.
Experience - how much time has the person spent life coaching? Most people offering coaching services have experience as a counsellor, consultant, or something similar, but not as a coach! Therefore, it is important to find out the duration of time the person has spent coaching.
Training - get information about the specifics of the coaching training they received. Find out more about the coaching school they went to and the training method they went through. Was there an assessment process and did they learn the ICF core competencies? Are they developing their life coaching skills on an on-going basis and keeping their information up to date regarding latest global coaching trends?
Structure - well trained coaches will be able to articulate the structure of a life coaching session and series. They should be able to explain the different methodologies they might use, and the models these methodologies are based around. Structure and focus allows progress. However, with the right structure and models, a coach should still be highly skilled at 'being in the moment' with the client.
It cannot be concluded that a coaching session is always ad hoc, but what it means is that a life coach who is confident and has the right skills and intuition can be flexible while keeping focused.
Specialty - does the coach specialize in a particular field? Coaching training can be obtained for small business owners or for dealing with a complex business environment, also known as executive coaching. Some of the external coaches are more appropriate for team or group coaching.
Qualifications - it helps to find out more about any other qualifications the coach has. For instance, the life coach might have qualifications in psychology, or might have a background as a CEO. A coach with such additional qualifications might be more suited to your requirements.
The main factors to judge the credibility of a life coach are actually intangible. For example, perception, sense of judgement, integrity and diplomacy top the list of important qualities to check before hiring their services. Character and insight are perhaps the most important qualifications for any life coach and these come as much from personal experiences as through formal training. Carefully observe the chemistry between the coach and those who receive life coaching.
The qualities that you want to see in the people being coached, look for those in the coach. Find out if they have you want, and whether they practice all they preach.
Client references - ask your life coach to provide references from both those they have coached, and client companies they have worked for as a coach. Get permission to ring those referees and ensure you ask the things you need to ask, what was the outcome from the coaching - both measurable in business terms, as well as at a personal level? Did they achieve their desired outcomes? What particular strengths did the coach bring? What did the coach have that made them choose that coach? Would they contract them again as an external life coach?
This is all quite basic stuff, and it's just the stuff that I see overlooked quite often in the life coaching arena. For example, a friend was looking for a coach and coach trainer - after a rather weak analysis of what was on offer in the market place, the organisation decided on a sales trainer to deliver one on one coaching, and coach training! Why? Simply because he was already contracted on sales training work. What happened? A lot of money was spent and virtually no coaching skills were learned, practiced or supported.
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