Finding a good coach can be like finding a needle in a haystack...!
Because Coaching is still a relatively new and unregulated profession, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CPID) have put together the following guidelines to be considered before hiring a coach. I, and the coaches I work with conform to these standards and are happy to answer any of your questions.
The Coach you select must be 'fit for purpose'. Ask your coach about how many hours of coaching they have delivered at a level suited to your requirement, what kinds of issues they have coached individuals for, and at what level of seniority they usually work.
The best coaches have a strong understanding of organisational dynamics, and do not necessarily need to have direct experience in the specific business field. Indeed, the best coaches will approach the problem from a position of neutrality, and will be able to 'see the wood for the trees', because they won't be restricted by thoughts of 'It's always been done that way'.
Talk to recent clients of your prospective Coach or ask to see testimonials or references. You want to know what style and techniques the Coach uses, and if these have been effective. A good coach will always have these to hand.
Supervision is a formal, independent process of reflection and review to enable the practitioner to increase their self-awareness, develop their competence and critique their work with their client. A good Coach knows that supervision is an important part of continuing professional development, and therefore will undergo supervision on a regular basis.
CPD is a structured method of introducing new techniques to Coaches, enabling them to keep up with the latest thinking in psychology and training and to increase their confidence as a coach. Check your Coach's CPD program.
Coaches should have an extensive kit bag of models, tools and techniques which can be used in different situations when needed and appropriate. Coaches should be able to recommend different approaches, but clients should be aware of Coaches who pressure clients into using techniques or tools which the coach favours, but which may not be the best fit with the clients' requirements. A good coach will use the simplest tools that provide the best results.
Coaches should understand the boundaries of their expertise, and should not knowingly accept an individual on to a coaching programme if the client needs specialist support beyond the competence of the Coach or the resources available
Coaches should be able to demonstrate that they are competent in the provision of coaching services. One way of doing this is the possession of a relevant qualification in Coaching or Psychotherapy. If you are employing a coach for the specific transfer of skills, e.g. coaching on presentation skills, you should also look for further 'skills based' qualifications.
Buyers of coaching services should consider membership of professional bodies as part of their selection criteria. All the main professional bodies demand that members adhere to Codes of Professional Conduct and Ethics, with associated complaints procedures.
Coaches should be asked if they hold this insurance. Coaches who do not hold (or cannot prove) this type of insurance should not be practicing as a professional coach.
For personal clients especially, it is important that they have an open and honest relationship with their coach. For this reason, even if all the other 10 boxes above are ticked, it may still come down to whether you like the coach or not. You may not be able to put your finger on why, but if you don't like your coach, they're not the person you should be working with.
What If. Coaching
Tel: 0115 8776461
info@whatifcoaching.com