Find a great coach
The coaching profession is relatively new: about 35 years old. There
are at least three organizations that set standards and provide certification
and accreditation. To make it easier to identify a great coach, look
for the following "credibility keys" (listed in order of greatest
to least credible).
Notice that I say a great coach will have these. A good coach may have
a lesser degree or less experience, but still meet your needs. Carefully
consider what matches your needs before considering what matches your
pocketbook. If you start with your pocketbook, you end up with
less that you need (and possibly a bad experience). A great coach
will have:
- A graduate degree in psychology,
counseling, social work, human development, or behavioral sciences.
Call the graduate school's registrar's office for verification.
- Verifiable references: The
coach's clients and fellow professionals who are willing to accept your
phone call to discuss the coach.
- Proven skills: A year with
non-paying clients might be credible, but a great coach will have at
least three years experience helping paying clients create personal
change.
- Ethics: A great coach adheres
to a written code of ethics published by a credible coaching association.
Ask to see the coach's code of ethics.
- Confidentiality: A great
coach will not release personal information without your consent. Rare
exceptions are allowed by law or dictated by ethics. A great coach can
explain confidentiality and exceptions.
- Significant life experience:
A significant series of personal life events or accomplishments that
show a person has met serious life challenges and beaten high standards.
- Coach certification from
a credible source: International Coach Federation, International Association
of Coaches, Coach U, and Franklin Covey, among others. Training is nice;
certification is better; proven experience is best.
- Specialty education and
experience: Specialized coaches (as described under "What is coaching?")
should have additional degrees and years of experience in the area of
their specialization. A specialty coach must have training and experience
in helping create personal change. Otherwise, they are a consultant
or mentor using the title "coach."
Personal life coaches teach and train
your, they provide information and build skills. A good coach will offer
the above keys at a slightly lower level. A great coach will offer all
of the above.
Contact Christopher
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