How to Select a Good Business Coach

As I stated in my previous blog, a business coach is a great asset to any business looking to get to the next level. Now that you are aware of the importance of having a business coach, let's talk about 6 qualities to look for in a business coach.

1. Adaptability:

The ability to adjust to changing conditions and situations is adaptability. A great business coach will be agile and flexible, quickly able to change and adapt to any new situation. When interviewing for a business coach, the question to ask is “Can you give me an example of when you had to change your approach to coaching someone based on their circumstances changing?” What you are looking for in the answer is as the situation changed was the coach able to pivot and change how they coached their client.

2. Responsiveness:

When you have a burning question, or need to address a problem, you need a coach that is accessible. It doesn’t mean they are at your beck and call and available to you 24/7. Healthy boundaries are important. What you are looking for is a coach that is supportive and has one line of communication open where you can reach out to them for a quick communication or chat. I always tell my clients that they can reach me by text - I will endeavour to respond to them within a few hours if not sooner.

3. Accountability

The word accountability gets used a lot. But what does it actually mean? In simple terms it's the ability to count. Count your actions, count your sales, count your leads, etc. In a broader sense, accountability is being able to account for actions. While you as a coachee may be responsible and accountable for your actions - that is, you take the actions and can account for them, a good coach will be accountable for your actions, much like a team leader or manager is accountable for her team’s actions. A good question to ask any potential coach is, “What happened when the client wasn’t meeting their goals?”

4. Management Skills

A good coach is like a manager that is able to oversee and account for activities the client has done. A good manager has the ability to follow up and follow through. He also has structures (such as spreadsheets, conversation trackers, schedules, etc) that keep track of activities and results produced. A good coach would have similar structures. When you are looking for a coach it’s a good idea to ask them to show you the structures they use to ensure client progress and success.

5. Relevant Experience & Qualifications

A good coach will have experience running and scaling a business, whether it’s their own or someone else’s. A coach who has run or scaled businesses knows the real challenges. While certifications are not mandatory or required, it's always a good idea to find how and where they acquired their knowledge base. Have a look at their website to see what their clients have said about them (testimonials) and ask them for references from current and previous clients.

6. Alignment

Chemistry matters! Alignment is important with you and your coach. Look for energetic alignment, shared values, and temperament. Even though they are there to push your button (a little bit! 😉) there should be a meeting of the minds, a certain intuitive compatibility.

A coach should be someone:

• Who challenges you to grow

• You trust and respect.

• You feel comfortable being vulnerable with.

• Who is a good listener

• Who is supportive

• Who is ruthlessly compassionate

Something to be aware of when looking for a coach, is not to be dazzled by someone who promises a quick-fix solution. Also when you are talking to potential coaches lookout for those with no real results or an unclear methodology. Or, a coach who doesn’t listen and only pushes their agenda.

A great business coach is an investment, not an expense. They challenge your limits, expand your perspective, and empower you to achieve measurable results. The right fit will bring out the best in you and your business.