6 tips to help you make the right choice.
You’ve understood that, on your own, you seem to go (sometimes) faster. But two can go much further. I’m personally convinced that everyone could gain by working with a coach (yes, it’s natural to say that when you’re a coach – but I’ve been coached a lot, and I can tell you how life-changing it is precisely because I’ve experienced it – and I’m always coached too).
So now that you know that coaching can help you solve your problem, the next question you’re probably asking yourself is :
How do I choose the right professional coach for me?
Excellent question! Let’s try to answer it now. FYI, there are many resources on the subject, so you’re welcome to supplement this article with the perspective of other sources of course ;).
Recommendation or “word of mouth ”
Perhaps a friend, relative, or someone you trust has worked with a “good coach” in the past or is currently recommending him or her to you. Great, why not explore this avenue!
In any case, don’t hesitate to ask around. Working with a coach has become more commonplace – especially since the Covid crisis, when personal questions about one’s lifestyle, pace of life, place of living and work have been greatly multiplied – perhaps you’ve also noticed it in yourself or those around you. In any case, chances are you have one or more coaches recommended to you through your network. If you receive several recommendations, don’t hesitate to look at the following points to confirm your final choice.
Does the coach have any training?
There are a number of coaches on the market (over 4,000 in France by 2020). Some are self-proclaimed, some are actually trained; coaching is not yet a regulated field.
Coaching shouldn’t be something you “invent”; it has a real impact on your professional and personal life. It relies on a certain pedagogical background and a code of ethics that are important to the success of the coaching experience, both for the person being coached and for the coach, in the confidentiality that is his or her responsibility. By working with a coach who has undergone professional coaching training, you are choosing a first guarantee of quality.
Is the coach's training recognized by an official organization (RNCP or ICF / EMCC / SFCoach)?
Has the training provided by the Coach School been recognized by an “authority”, a professional coaching organization or RNCP certified if the training is provided in France?
There are a number of organizations that bring together coaching professionals, and which can help to shed some light on the subject. These include, at different levels – national, European and international :
- FCoach : “Founded in 1996, the Société Française de Coaching (SFCoach) is the first professional organization representing coaching in France”.
- EMCC : European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
- ICF (International Coaching Federation): The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s leading organization for coaches and coaching. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and creating a global network of trained coaching professionals.
Each of these organizations therefore proposes its own code of ethics and vision, and coaches decide to join one or other of these organizations to share best practices among peers, continue their training, network, etc. Each of these organizations also has its own Coach Directory, listing the coaches affiliated with them. Here, for example, is my member page on ICF France.
What additional accreditations does the Coach have?
In addition to recognized school certification – either by the French government with RNCP certification, or by the ICF in the case of international training, for example – as they train and accumulate experience, coaches validate certain “levels” of professional coaching.
The ICF accredits coaches at three levels, depending on their coaching skills in terms of experience and continuing education:
1. Associate Certified Coach (ACC): 60 hours of training and over 100 hours of coaching experience.
2. “Professional Certified Coach (PCC): 120 hours of training and over 500 hours of coaching experience.
3. “Master Certified Coach (MCC): over 200 hours of training and more than 1500 hours of coaching experience.
Does the coach offer support in line with your objectives?
If you’re considering Coaching, you’ve probably identified areas for improvement, areas you’d like to develop in your personal life, in your career, or all at once.
In this case, you can also take into account the Coach’s specialization. For example, if you’re looking to develop your career, a Career or Leadership Coach will probably be more relevant than a Love Coach.
So there are specializations, “niches” in coaching. Some coaches focus more on “Executive Coaching”, “Manager Coaching”, “Team Coaching”, “Coaching for Large Companies”, “Coaching for SMEs”, “Coaching for Young Managers”, “Life Coaching”, and so on.
To take things a step further, some coaches are also certified to administer certain “tests”, such as DISC, EQ-I, MBTI or the Energy Leadership Index assessment, as in my case.
Does the coach inspire confidence?
Last but not least, the “fit”. Just like on Tinder, it has to be a good match ;). Don’t hesitate to meet the coach(es) you’re considering. Most coaches offer a 30 min initial consultation. This is the time for you to discuss your objectives, meet the coach and plan your future. Do you see yourself being accompanied by this person? Of course, we’re talking about a specific area of expertise, coaching, with a specific confidentiality framework, but the human fit is still very important in my opinion. After all, you’re going to be sharing a lot (personal information, but potentially time too) with this person.
Do you feel at ease with your coach? Do you feel confident?
Yes ? Great, go for it! Coaching is going to be a transformative experience. Welcome the process with open arms, and bear in mind your share of responsibility.
The more you engage with your coach, the more you’ll achieve. The results depend on you!
It’s up to you to do the work. The Coach will guide you, accompany you, but will not be able to do it for you.
You have everything you need to succeed! Trust your coach, and trust yourself.
A few words about my support to close:
I’m a Life & Leadership Coach, ACC accredited by the ICF. I was trained in coaching by IPEC, a top American international school. I specialize in helping women develop their self-confidence and leadership skills. I am committed to reconnecting them to their inner wealth and helping them build a more fulfilling and authentic life (professional and personal).
I’m an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, which means I’m certified to administer and debrief this test (Energy Leadership Index) to help you become more aware of your energy and commitment levels at work and in life, and to be more intentional about how you wish to engage in your relationships with others and with yourself. I’ll talk more about this in a future article.
I’m also a workshop facilitator and speaker; I regularly intervene with groups of students, entrepreneurs or companies on various subjects around self-promotion, self-confidence, leadership and entrepreneurship in particular.
I’m also happy to work with companies on more customized formats, depending on their needs, to improve team dynamics, or on ad hoc team-building activities. You can contact me here if you’d like to talk about this.
Are you considering working with a coach or would you like me to accompany you? Let’s make an appointment to talk for 30 minutes about your objectives and answer any questions you may have.
I hope this article has shed some light on your choice of coach! If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments.