There is more to coaching than how much the coach charges. What is important, as we’ll discuss in this article, is how to find and select your coach.

How Do I Find a Coach?

There are numerous ways to find a coach. Here are some to help you get started. In every one of the cases below, you will be able to find one or more coaches from which to choose. Keep in mind that your friend’s recommendation isn’t sufficient. You are not your friend, and your issues are not your friend’s. Each of the sources below should be considered a starting point. Regardless of the source, once you've identified several potential coaches, do your diligence following the guidance in the next section, How Do I Select a Coach?

• Personal References - One of the best ways to find a coach is from a reference by a friend or colleague. This person has direct experience with the coach and can attest to the coach’s experience, expertise, personality, and other aspects of the coaching relationship that are important to you.
• Certified Coaches – The International Coaching Federation (ICF) has a “Find A Coach” menu item on its website (https://coachfederation.org/find-a-coach). This offers only coaches who have been certified through the ICF. If you’re looking for a certified coach, this may be a good option for you.
• Coaching Communities
  • Alignable is a small business network that includes coaches among all the different types of businesses in its community.
  • Viveka advertises itself as the largest source of coaches in the world. There are hundreds of coaches from all over the world. There are photos, descriptions, pricing, and programs for each coaching service.
  • Heal.Me advertises itself as the largest source of wellness practitioners in the world. This community includes coaches and many other wellness experts. As with Viveka, this site provides details about each coach, including background, programs, and pricing
• Social Media – Social media contains just about anything you want to find, including coaches. Here are several sites where you can find a coach or a group where you can find more about coaching.
  • FaceBook has many groups devoted to coaching, where you can find out about their ideas and methods.
  • LinkedIn is a business-oriented social media site and yields a rich collection of groups and individuals from a search on ‘coaching.’
  • NextDoor is a community based site and provides access to resources within your local geographic location. You may not find coaches being advertised, but you can ask for recommendations and you’ll get some personal responses.
  • Thumbtack is a job search site that helps people find qualified skilled workers to perform just about anything. A search in Thumbtack yields a nice list of coaches.
• Internet – I did a simple search on “How to find a coach” in my browser and a received a huge list of links to a variety of sources. Use the Internet to find some potential coaches. Then use the guidance in How Do I Select a Coach? to fine tune your list and select your specific coach.

How Do I Select a Coach? Top

You're not buying a toaster oven. A toaster oven is a mechanical device, and the selection process is just a matter of comparing features and looks. Selecting a coach is a more subjective process. A lot depends on how you ‘feel’ about a prospective coach. Keep this in mind as we explore how to select your coach.

Establish your budget. Identify coaches whose fees are within your financial reach. You can select a 'package' deal, where you pay up front (or sometimes on a schedule) for a specified number of sessions. You can also find coaches who charge per session. Keep in mind that you will probably want a number of sessions, so know before you start how much you are able to spend.

Location doesn't matter. In this age of technology, the use of online video sharing opens you up to coaches all over the world, not just your local area. Regardless of the price range in which you’re looking, there will be hundreds, perhaps thousands, of coaches from which to choose. Don't rule out someone on the other side of your country, or even in another country. Be aware of language differences - make sure you will be able to understand your coach clearly.

Be an educated consumer. Do your homework. Learn more about coaching before you start your search, so you know what kinds of questions to ask and how to gauge a coach’s level of experience and expertise. Ask for references. Even if you are highly intuitive, understand what you are getting into so you can ask the right questions and make a decision that has positive results.

Be clear about your objectives. Why do you want a coach in the first place? What are you trying to change or improve? How much time can you commit to the coaching process? You should address these questions yourself before you start your search.

Be clear about your expectations. What do you expect to gain from your coaching sessions? How do you think a coach can help you? Share your expectations with your prospective coach. How do they respond? Does their response satisfy you that a) they understand what you are trying to accomplish and b) that they have the skills and tools to help you achieve your goals? Does the prospective coach seem credible? Do you get the feeling that this coach is capable of meeting your expectations, that they can help you successfully resolve your issues?

What is the coach’s approach? Is there a structured framework within which the coach works? What is their process? How many sessions will you have? How often will you meet? What happens during each session? What happens outside the sessions?

What are the coach’s expectations of you? Will there be homework? Will it be necessary for you to spend time outside your sessions working some issue, reading materials, or other activity? Understand your role in the coach’s process before you start.

Ask about the coach’s range of experience. Does he or she focus on some specific area? Is that area relatable to your own issues and expectations? Do they have enough experience to help you through your issues? Keep in mind that just because a coach doesn’t have experience with your specific issue doesn’t mean that they can’t help. I had one client who was having problems with some specific family relationships. I’d never helped a client with this before but felt confident that, with my tools, I could make a difference for her. Over the next several months, she noticed consistent improvements in the relationship, and it has continued to improve since.

Most important, do you feel a ‘connection’ to this coach? Assuming the coach has passed all the tests so far, the most important aspect of your relationship to your coach is trust, followed by rapport, and likeability. You may be exposing some very intimate and sensitive aspects of your life to this person. Do you feel this coach will be able to listen without judging you? The quality of this relationship is critical to its success. You must trust this person to help you through even the most difficult of revelations – and there may be some very difficult revelations as you leave behind beliefs and other life patterns you have held for such a long time. You must feel a rapport with this person. Do you like them? Will you enjoy working with them? Will you have fun – fun is important, too. If, after you’ve completed this process, you have found someone who meets all your criteria and fits within your financial means, sign them up!

But wait! The process doesn’t end here. Once you have selected a potential coach and have begun your sessions, assess your progress. Give yourself some time, as much as several months to see how far you’ve come. Do you feel better within yourself? Do you feel like you are making progress? Are you being more successful? Are your expectations being met? Do you feel your time and money has been spent wisely? It’s often difficult for you to assess your own progress, so ask your friends and family if they’ve noticed positive changes in you? Maybe they’ll offer comments without prompting – that’s even better. As the old saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you feel that you’re making progress, you or others have noticed positive change, and you feel comfortable with the services you’re receiving, you made the right decision – just keep going with it.