It is that time of year when many people set goals and hope to achieve them. Finding a coach to help you stay focused and accountable can be a positive first step.
So, how do you start? Consider the following:
First, ask yourself what you want to achieve: Are these achievements professional, personal, or both?
Next, set clear objectives: These may be short or long-term and will guide your coaching sessions.
Start the search: Online directories such as the Life Coach Directory, LinkedIn, The Greenhouse Therapy Rooms and the International Coaching Federation (ICF) are all helpful places to begin. Asking for referrals from friends, colleagues, and professional networks may seem “old school”; however, when trust is the most essential element of your coaching relationship, referrals from those you trust count!
Check Credentials: Besides checking professional qualifications and experience, consider the type of experience, both personal and professional, that the coach has. For example, I have decades of experience working as an HR professional in intercultural environments, which may align with an HR professional searching for an executive coach with global working and living experience.
Book a meeting: Many coaches offer free 30-minute “discovery” sessions to assess chemistry, discuss objectives, and learn about their methodologies, approaches, and expectations for the coaching relationship.
Lastly, commit to engaging in the process once you have selected your coach. You must feel psychologically safe with your coach. This will include trusting the process when your coach respectfully challenges you when necessary to pursue your goals.
So, take the time to search, select and prepare for what may be the best decision and investment you have ever made for yourself!
Sharon Kelly is a professional coach specialising in intercultural environments.