You’ve probably heard the analogy about how professional sports players would never dream of competing without having a coach with them every step of the way. The only pro sport I would qualify for is the 5-yard dash to the freezer to grab the ice cream and a spoon before the next Netflix episode starts. However, to play big in business, you must have the same mentality, and with the right coach, you can unlock your potential for personal and professional growth, just like those athletes.
Life can often feel like navigating a jungle gym full of twists, turns, and unexpected challenges. But what if you had a guide or coach to help you navigate these obstacles? They can turn your ‘uh-oh’ moments into ‘aha’ breakthroughs, helping you to see solutions where you once saw problems.
In business, we’re expected to have all the answers and effortlessly navigate the corporate version of a “tough mudder” competition daily with grace and ease. Investment in leadership development is at an all-time low despite the mounting evidence that skilled leaders are too few and far between.
Many of my clients hide that they’ve hired me as their executive coach. Some want to keep me as their secret weapon, while others don’t want anyone to find out that they haven’t figured it all out by now.
The sad truth is that I’ve had to release clients, too. These talented people were under too much external pressure and unable to put in the work necessary to grow, stuck in a fixed mindset, or looking for a magic pill to cure all that ails them.
If you’re considering hiring a coach for yourself, your business, or your leaders, there are many things to consider. The myriad of options can make the entire process feel so overwhelming that it’s tempting to give up before you even start.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of hiring a coach step by step. By the end, you’ll be able to answer three key questions confidently: Do I need a coach? What kind of coach do I need? Is now the right time to hire a coach? So, let’s get started on your journey to personal and professional growth.
Even though I’m the CEO of CWC, a premier coaching and advisory company, I promise that all roads won’t lead to yes; you need a coach, the kind CWC provides, and you need one right now. My goal is to provide you with a battle-tested way to navigate the murky coaching world, and you may find some of the guidance I offer surprising.
As you begin your journey, there are four things you should think about before starting your search for a coach.
- What problem or opportunity are you working through that is proving elusive?
- What kind of coach do you need?
- What coaching style will help you get the most out of your investment?
- What program format is best for you?
The Great Detective Work: Unraveling Your Conundrum or Chance of a Lifetime!
You know when something feels ‘off’. You’re frustrated, feel stuck, and can’t shake the nagging sense that that ‘something’ you’re looking for is just beyond your grasp, like a fading memory of your dream in the early morning. It’s right there; the harder you try to remember it, the faster it fades away. Super frustrating – right?
If your awake life feels like this too, it may be time for coaching. Getting an outside-in perspective from an expert who doesn’t know you or those in your environment is a highly effective way to accelerate growth. But before you move on to the next step, spend some time clarifying these things:
- Are you trying to fix a problem or take advantage of an opportunity?
- What is your level of urgency to bring this to a close?
- Are you in crisis mode or being proactive?
- Even though you may not be sure what exactly is “off,” what does a successful outcome look like?
- What have you tried so far? What parts of it worked and what didn’t?
- Why is this important to you?
- Why is now the time for you to focus on this?
- Are you coachable and willing to change?
- How much bandwidth and emotional openness do you and your company have to experience a major growth spurt right now?
Your answers to these questions are essential before proceeding to the next step in the coach decision-making process. If you are in extreme crisis mode, lack the bandwidth to grow, find change difficult at this stage, or haven’t tried to solve this situation independently, I recommend holding off on coaching until you can adjust your situation.
I’ve found that the most effective environment for my clients to get the most out of their coaching experience is when they’re proactive. They’ve tried solving this situation through other means, and the stakes and personal drive are high. There’s a vision of the desired outcome and openness to new ways of doing things.
Even if you can’t check all the boxes and still want the extra support to improve your situation, remember that the best coaching in the world will fall flat if you’re not committed to achieving your goals. Don’t waste your time or money if you’re not in the “growth zone.”
Choosing Your Sherpa: Navigating the Wild Terrain of Coaches.
Now that you’ve passed the first hurdle, it’s time to figure out what kind of coach you need. Life is complicated, and pinpointing where the problem or opportunity lies can prove elusive. Is it your job, business, relationships, mindset, spirituality, health, and well-being? Which lever do you pull to move your life in the direction that fuels fulfillment and joy?
It’s tough to compartmentalize our lives, and the spillover effect is alive and well. When things go wrong in a particular aspect of life, it brings down the tone of the things that are going well.
There are a myriad of coaches out there with different areas of expertise. Below is a list of the most common coaching resources you can tap into.
- Executive
- Leadership
- Business
- Career
- Life
- Mindset
- Performance
- Wellness
- Spiritual
- Relationship
How do you know which one to choose? It can be tricky. Here’s a common scenario: you are burnt out from your job or business, gained weight, lost confidence, pulled back from the friends and hobbies you love, your business results are suffering, and your partner is on their last nerve with you. Who do you hire?
There are two ways to look at this. You can start with the area that hurts the most, or you can look at the totality of your situation, find the root cause, and start there. For example, even though you are burnt out and stressed, if the strain on your relationship with your partner is weighing on you most heavily, you can start there. Alternatively, if you know the burnout at work is mucking up everything else in your life, and if you can get that on track, everything else will improve, then that is where your search should begin.
Any coach worth their salt will take a holistic approach when they work with you, but each discipline will have a primary area of focus. You must be clear on what you need most as you narrow your search for your ideal guide.
Snagging Your Ideal Match: Like Cinderella’s Glass Slipper, but for Coaching!
Once you have confirmed that you’re ready for coaching and have narrowed down which coaching discipline will work best for you, it’s time to decide what coaching style will help you maximize your investment.
We all have our natural working styles, and it’s essential to understand them so you can find a coach who will help you grow and thrive. The right fit is worth its weight in gold. The mind-melding bond and judgment-free environment create a unique level of trust unlike any other relationship you may experience. Every coach brings unique experiences, perspectives, and styles into the relationship. Coaching styles often span the gamut of:
- Advisory
- Authoritative
- Structured
- Egalitarian
- Progressive
- Holistic
- Innovative
- Perceptive
Take some time to figure out what style works best for you. It’s likely your ideal style will be a combination of a few. If unsure what will work, reflect on your personal and business relationships. Who do you gravitate towards, and what style most closely reflects the attributes above? Consider your mentors, teachers, role models, and advisors, and find their commonalities. The answer will guide you in deciding what personal coaching style is most appropriate for you.
In addition to coaching style, there are other things to consider. Would you gain the most from a formal or more casual coaching style? Do you need a coach, mentor, advisor, or a blend that I call “coach-sulting”? How important is it for your coach to have certifications, a similar background to yours, have overcome comparable obstacles, or know your industry?
This clarity combined with your gut feeling (the vibe is very important here), will allow you to ask better questions as you evaluate coaches and increase the likelihood of finding the coaching equivalent to your prince or princess charming.
Finding Your Perfect Fit: From White-Glove Service to Bootcamp Buffet.
Most coaches will have a few program options; one size does not fit all. The major areas for consideration include your style, how fast you want to go, your budget, and the nature of your goals.
Coaches will offer one or more of the following program formats:
- Private coaching
- Group Coaching
- Advisory Services
- Mentoring
- In-person / Virtual
- Training / E-learning
- Workshops
- Masterminds
- Peer-Reviews
- Roleplay / Simulations
Before you start program shopping, figure out at a high level how much time you have available to invest each week and how long you want to spend in a program. Unless you have a particular situation you’re looking to resolve; you should expect to invest a minimum of one to two hours each week over three months.
Here’s a quick guide on determining which program format is best for you. If you want to dig deep, move fast, and are willing to pay top dollar, private coaching is the way to go. If you benefit from other people’s perspectives and have more time to achieve your goals, group coaching, training, or workshops could work quite well. If you have a point solution and need outside expertise, then masterminds, peer reviews, and simulations would fit the bill.
As a business owner, I always have at least one coach by my side, and each situation requires a different approach. Taking a thoughtful approach to choosing a program type and working with a coach who offers a few different methods will allow you to flex as your needs change.
Cracking the Code: Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together
So, here’s the deal: hiring a coach is like adding turbo boosters to your journey toward success. It’s like having your own personal cheerleader, life guru, and strategy wizard all rolled into one! Let’s keep it real. We’re not all born with a playbook for life, right? Sometimes, we need a little extra push, a friendly nudge in the right direction. And that’s where coaching comes in!
Before diving headfirst, take a moment to chart our course. What irks you? What ignites your passion? Are you geared up to hustle and exercise those mental muscles? Because, let’s face it, coaching is a collaborative journey. You bring the drive to evolve, and your coach provides the roadmap to guide you there.
So, whether you’re gunning for that corner office, looking to level up your leadership game, or just want to hit pause and find your Zen, there’s a coach out there with your name on it. It’s all about finding your coaching soulmate, the Batman to your Robin, the yin to your yang.
Your adventure in coaching awaits. It’s time to elevate those goals, realize those dreams, and unlock your badass potential. This is your moment!
