Selecting the right coach

We know that an important component in the most successful coaching outcomes is working with the right coach for you. All of our coaches are experienced and skilled professionals who work to a high standard so you can be sure that you will be working with some of the best. In addition it is important that you feel that you can establish rapport and trust with your coach and that you would feel comfortable working with him or her.
 
In the ‘chemistry’ meeting(s) you may be about to take part in, you will meet one or more of our coaches. Each coach has been matched to you based upon your coaching goals/situation and any other requirements forwarded to us. Once you have met all the coaches you will be asked to select the one you would feel most comfortable with and who you feel is most likely to help you to achieve your goals. To help you in that selection process, you might want to ask some specific questions and consider the following points:

Possible Questions

• How would you describe your coaching style? What would it be like to work with you?

• How did you get into coaching? What is your career background?

• How long have you been coaching?

• What kind of people do you work best with?

• What is your coaching philosophy/coaching principles?

• Can you tell me about other coaching assignments where the coachee had similar situations/issues/goals?

• How would your other coachees describe you?

Considerations
Immediately following a chemistry meeting it can be helpful to take a few minutes to note down your initial impressions, for example:

• Did you feel that the coach listened attentively to you and was interested in what you had to say?

• Did you feel that you could trust the coach?

• Did you feel that the coach was in tune with you – that you were ‘connecting’ in some way?

• Did you feel understood?

• To what extent did you feel that the coach’s style, behaviour, personality and pace/energy would be constructive in helping you to achieve your coaching goals?

• Did you feel that the coach would balance the amount of support and challenge you need appropriately?

• Do you get a sense that you could work effectively and productively with the coach?

• Do you think that the approach the coach outlined to you would be most valuable in helping you to achieve your goals?

 
It can then be helpful to reflect further on each meeting after a slightly longer time, perhaps a day or two. You might then note down your more considered appraisal, perhaps referring to the same questions. Once you have made your decision, let us (or your organisational sponsor) know who you would prefer to work with. Your selected coach will then contact you to progress the coaching programme.
 
Some coachees are uncomfortable with the part of the selection process which requires them to reject one or more coaches, particularly if they enjoyed the meeting or liked the coach. If this applies to you, please be aware that chemistry meetings are a regular part of professional coaching work. All the coaches you meet share the desire that you find the optimum coaching experience for you and recognise that the selection is a professional decision.