Hiring a company coach is extremely beneficial when developing yourself and team. It seems like everyone is some type of coach nowadays and it can be overwhelming to find a great one.
To help you out, we’ve compiled 6 key things to help you prepare for interviewing and hiring a company coach for your business:
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What is possible
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Trust
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Alignment with corporate mission & values
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Personal Development Process
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Beyond the session
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Time
ONE: What is possible
When preparing for your meeting with a coach, be sure to spend time thinking about the possibilities you want for yourself or team. Most often, clients are clear on what they don’t like or isn’t working for them, but don’t forget what you WANT. Envision your future; what will your life look like after you’ve worked with your coach? What do you want to achieve? This will give you clarity on the gap between current reality and the possibilities moving forward.
TWO: Trust
Trust your gut instinct upon meeting a potential coach. This is an act of vulnerability and will be key in getting the most out of your coaching relationship. Does the coach’s language resonate with you? Do you feel like they “get you” and exude a natural empathy? Our instincts are the best indicators, so pay attention.
THREE: Mission & Values
A good coach will know your mission & values and come prepared with questions inspired by them. On the flip side, be prepared to ask questions to the coach to see if their actions & coaching process align with your mission & values. Also- does the coach have a mission & personal values? This is often overlooked, and important.
FOUR: Coaching Process
Make sure the coach you hire has a proven process. You want to hire someone who stands behind what they deliver. A process is measurable in delivering results aligned to bigger goals for the person or team. Learn the style of the coach as well. Each coach has a unique style of working with a person or team, so ask for a few examples. Also, does the coach have life experience (wisdom), blended in with coaching classes? Do they have specific training in their process they deliver or did they create it based on experience?
FIVE: Beyond the session
Creating good boundaries & expectations with the coach in the beginning creates a positive experience for everyone. Does the coach offer support in between sessions? Do they communicate and offer exercises to the person or team they are coaching in between sessions? Bottom line; get clear.
SIX: Time
How long does your coaching process take to see results? This is an honest question and can be hard to answer! It always depends on the by-in from the person or team being coached. We like to say “you have to do the work to see results”. Our advice is have an honest conversation with yourself or team before hiring a coach. On a scale of 1-10, how committed are you to do the work? If you’re not a resounding YES, then it can take longer to see results when working with a coach. What you put into the relationship is what you get out of the relationship.
Want to learn more? We would love to discuss our process and how we can serve you and your team through our corporate coaching program.