Do you have a coach?
I do. I think entrepreneurs who own small businesses need a professional, certified, experienced coach to help them think, plan and take action. I've worked with coaches for the past eight years or so, and it costs some money. But it has paid for itself many times over because these professionals helped me refine my ideas and motivated me into action.
How do you choose a coach?
First, find someone who is a Professional or Master Certified Coach recognized by the International Coach Federation as having passed a rigorous course of study, testing and evaluation. Everyone (and everyone's mother) these days is calling herself a coach. Out of work sales manager? In 20 minutes you can print some business cards that say you're a sales coach. Used to be a human resources manager? Now you're a career coach. Went to college? Now you're a coach for recent college grads looking for their first jobs. (Some of these folks make $400+ an hour.)
Because someone calls herself a coach does not mean she knows the difference between coaching, consulting and therapy. It doesn't mean she knows when someone is coachable and when he needs to be referred to another type of professional. It doesn't mean she knows that her job is not to tell people what to do based on her own experience, but rather to draw out of the client what he wants to do and help him get unstuck.
Coaching is an industry without regulation, but that doesn't mean there are no standards. There are, lots of them, and as a consumer you should know what they are and make sure your coach is trained and certified by ICF, the worldwide organization that creates and maintains coaching standards to protect consumers.
Do you have a coach? Please tell me about your experience.
This post is very serendipitous. I’ve been working for myself for about 9 months now (no coach) and while I have made progress, it is not as much as I thought.
I have realized that a coach would help me stay focused and work towards my goals, but I was not actively looking for one. Then this past Monday, I met with a person at a networking event who turned out to be a small business coach. I’ve made an appointment to see her next week, but I’m already very excited at the possibilities.
Well, as a certified professional co-active coach, and a member of the International Coaches Federation I want to thank you for this article. I also want to congratulate you on your ability to ask for assistance when you want it. Only 20% of the population will consider any type of professional development of any type. Of course, as the economy slides more people think they can’t afford such services when, in fact, it’s probably the best time to be working with a coach/mentor/consultant. I am also happy to say that the industry is finally getting some recognition and I personally have been selected to include a discovery session certificate to each nominee of the Canadian JUNO awards.
I wish you much success as you move forward in your quest. Living la vida fearless, Janet Auty-Carlisle
After many years in the corporate world, I have just launched my own business as a leadership coach. I specialise in helping women clarify their goals and achieve success in their careers and their business. The challenge I find is that women particularly do not feel that they can justify this type of support., Yet coaching is one of the three most impactful actions leading to success. The others are confidence and political savvy, particularly in the corporate environment.
You are 100% correct that everyone needs a coach. I both have a coach and provide coaching to a number of small businesses. I think you are also absolutely right about the coach needing to know the difference between coaching, consulting, and therapy. A “coach” who does not understand could do much harm. However, I do question your requirement for certification by a particular body. Your example in this post of educating entrepreneurs on how to select a coach is a good start toward helping them find someone who is effective in helping them identify and work through their specific needs.
I like this post and I agree to hire a coach who trained and is certified (by reputable institutions). Definitely there are good non-certified coaches. But there are as many, if not more, unqualified non-certified and untrained “coaches” out there. Of course, not all certified coaches fit a client’s needs but it does not mean the coach is not qualified. This is an instance when “due diligence” should be done in finding the right fit.
I like this post and I agree to hire a coach who trained and is certified (by reputable institutions). Definitely there are good non-certified coaches. But there are as many, if not more, unqualified non-certified and untrained “coaches” out there. Of course, not all certified coaches fit a client’s needs but it does not mean the coach is not qualified. This is an instance when “due diligence” should be done in finding the right fit.