Finding the Right Business Coach
Which is the best coach for the client and their needs? This is a decision that needs to be considered from:
a. The client's wants and needs and
b. The coach's position as a professional.
The Client's Wants and Needs
Many prospective clients start working with coaches not knowing fully what the relationship and process will do for them. They may not be conscious of any expectations and truly believe that they are entering a relationship openly. This is rarely the reality of the situation.
There are always expectations when entering into a professional relationship. At the very least, there is an expectation of a high level of competence within all personal and organisational interactions. Therefore, even if the client is emotionally willing to trust the coach, without having a clear sense of the future outcome, this trust will be eroded if the basics of personal politeness, timeliness, ethics and standards are not present at all times.
The Coach's Position as a Professional
All coaches need to decide what their professional ethics and standards are, and how they would like to work with their clients. This will form the terms, conditions and coaching policy used for the coaching commitment. Every coach is an individual who uses their uniqueness to create the best possible conditions for the client. However, the longer a coach practices and the differing client situations they encounter, the more likely they are to need to review their terms, conditions, ethic and standards on a regular basis
Over a period of six months, a survey of coaches and coachees revealed the top ten questions asked by a client during the initial contact with a coach. These questions are usually asked to assess the suitability of a coach.
The top 10 questions were:
1. What are your qualifications as a coach?
2. Which professional coaching body are you a member of?
3. What ethics and standards can I expect from your professional body and what do they do for me as a client?
4. What led you to being a coach?
5. Where are your coaching skills most used and with who? (answer without breaking client confidentiality)
6. What commitment do you want from me as your client? (time and regularity)
7. How do you work with your clients? (telephone, face to face, 1:1, groups)
8. What happens if 'it' doesn't work?
9. Do you have a coach?
10. I'm not exactly sure what I want to be coached on - how can you help me?
