Once you’ve found a coach you might want to work with, it’s time to find out if they are who you think they are.

The best coaches ask questions to promote self-reflection and get answers. If you are going to find the best coach for you, I suggest you do the same. Below you will find seven questions to ask yourself before deciding on a coach, and seven questions to ask any prospective coaches to find the best coach for you. Together, investigating the answers to these 14 questions should help you make a great decision.

First, of course, you need to find a prospective coach or two who has the experience, approach, and style that is right for you. If you haven’t already found a coach to interview, I recommend that you think about what type of coach is right for you, learn about the different kinds of coaches out there, their coaching style, and the assessments they use. All my prior blogs will help you do that so that you start to find the best coach for you. That should narrow your search to people who are likely to be a good fit.

Seven Questions to Answer for Yourself Before Finding a Coach

Pretty much, every coach you interview will ask you about your goals. It’s a good idea to have thought about this question for yourself before you start interviewing prospective coaches. The best coach for you is likely to be someone who has helped others to get the results you want. When you know the answer to these questions, you will be able to articulate what you want and discover who is the best coach for what you need.

Here are seven questions to ask yourself when looking for the best coach for you:

  1. What is my learning style? Do I like to a) learn external material from teachers, b) learn by investigating my past experiences, or c) focus on the future using self-learning and self-discovery?
  2. How open am I to suggestion and change? That is, do I want a purely non-directive coach, a more directive coach, or a coach who offers a mix of both?
  3. What are my goals for coaching? Ideally, in 3 to 6 months, what do I want to be able to do that I can’t do now?
  4. Why are these goals important to me?
  5. What is it worth to me, in terms of time and financial resources, to get the results I want?
  6. How willing am I to be transparent and honest with myself and with a coach? Are there things I still don’t want to discuss, even if they might be holding me back?
  7. What will happen if I don’t reach my goals?

The answers to these questions should clarify and sharpen your search for a coach. Your answers will indicate if you need a non-directive coach who will not push your boundaries, or if you are ready to explore it all and find suggestions for quicker growth. You’ll be ready to describe the results you are looking for and ascertain if they have experience getting similar results.

In the Interview, Look for Rapport and Trust

The most important thing to look for when interviewing to find the best coach for you is rapport. Overall, you should feel comfortable talking with the coach. You want to feel that you can open up to this person and have some sensitive conversations with them. The dominant feeling should be one of trust.

So, regardless of how they answer your questions, keep track of how you feel. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, make sure you note it and consider what was happening at that point to make you feel that way. There is no reason to work with someone who makes you feel uneasy. The process of self-learning only works if you are comfortable enough not to be defensive when challenged.

Seven Questions for Finding the Best Coach for You

Here is a guide for interviewing coaches to decide if they are the best coach for you.

1. What experiences do you draw on as a coach?

Experience informs how most coaches work, so this is a good first question in an interview. You may be looking for their coaching experience, or you may want to ask about their other business experiences. Most coaches have extensive experience outside of coaching that has led them to want to share their expertise through coaching.

If you can find a coach who has experience doing what you want to do, that is a great indication of a good fit. They have been there and will be an excellent guide for where you want to go. If you can’t find (or can’t afford) someone who has done exactly what you want to do, consider looking for a coach who has transferable skills that will help you move toward your goals.

When looking for better leadership to improve your team or your career trajectory, the most valuable skills a coach brings are soft skills, like their ability to build relationships, earn trust, assemble and motivate teams, and create momentum. If they have developed grit, confidence, and leadership presence, these are important leadership traits too. Look for someone who has created relationships or led teams in ways that you want to create relationships and lead.

2. What are your certifications?

Certifications are about trust. It’s a reality check to verify that someone has taken the time to understand their profession and dedicated resources to learning best practices. There are thousands of organizations that offer coaching certifications. Anyone can take a class and get certified as a coach in as little as a day.

The highest standard is a certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Their standards include a minimum of 40 hours of training every three years, and strict adherence to their code of conduct to ensure confidentiality, a client centric approach, and transparency of coaching methods. They test their coaches and review sample sessions to see if applicants are proficient. If you find a coach who is not certified by the ICF, consider asking about their training, commitment to confidentiality, and if they have code of ethics.

3. Do you coach in person or online?

Some people want a coach who is local and can meet with them face-to-face on a regular basis. There is something powerful about sitting in the same room, in real life, and putting devices away. If that is what you want, limit your search to local coaches and choose the best coach available near you.

If you are open to online coaching, you will have a far greater choice of coaches. One-on-one coaching can achieve surprising intimacy even online. It may take a bit of an effort to put away your other devices for a time, but generally, if you are committed to your coaching journey, you should be able to make the most of coaching time via video. Coaching online also eliminates communiting time and makes the most of your and the coach’s time. Coaches who visit you in person generally charge something for their time on the road.

Some clients prefer a simple phone call rather than a video chat, and that works well too. The voice is an incredibly rich medium for conveying emotions. Good coaches will catch the inflection in your voice and pick up on what you might not be saying. Most online coaches are willing to travel from time to time to meet with clients and do in-person work, training, or intensive sessions.

In any case, find the coaching situation that makes you feel most comfortable.

4. How would you describe your coaching style?

Presumably, you have read their website and maybe their LinkedIn profile, so you might have an idea of their coaching style already. Still, it’s good to hear a coach describing how they work. It lets you know how aware and in control they are of their skills. If they are comfortable describing their coaching style, it indicates they have a well-developed style that is working for them and their clients. If they have a hard time answering, they may be less experienced or less thoughtful about the coaching process.

5. Can you tell me a success story from one of your clients?

The best indication of future success is past success. If they coached someone else who did something you want to do, that’s a good indication that this is the right coach for you. If they can tell you a few stories of successful client outcomes, that’s even better. Take the time to define the result you are looking for, that is, your goals, and ask for another client successful in getting a promotion or improving team results or whatever you are looking for.

6. Can I speak to your references?

You have heard from the coach about their results. Now it’s time to check their references. It’s invaluable to hear from people who have worked with a coach and hear their stories. Before signing a coaching agreement, ask any coach for at least three references from clients similar to you. Make sure you reach out all the references via phone or email to check their feedback on the coach. This is a reality check that will help you avoid buying mistakes.

7. Do you offer a free coaching demo?

Most coaches offer a free coaching demo to anyone interested in coaching. Go to that session with a real dilemma, decision, or problem that you have been unable to resolve. Ask them to help you make some progress. After the free session, consider if the coach helped you expand your thinking. Did the coach ask insightful questions that you have not considered on your own? Did the coach offer some suggestions or coaching homework? Take a few days to implement their suggestions or ideas. If the ideas work for you, it’s a good sign that this is someone you can trust to help you move forward.

The most important element in the coaching relationship is trust. Without it, there is no possibility of progress. Before signing any coaching contract, be sure you trust what they are saying. These questions should give you a good idea of whether or not you can trust them.

Further Reading

Now you are prepared with some answers and questions that will help you match yourself to a coach. Next, you might want to look at the following blogs:

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