Bizstartup.ie - I’m thinking of hiring a business coach to support me through the first few months of my new business. What qualities should I be looking for in the coach?

Your question specifically refers to a coach, so I’m taking it that you are not talking about a consultant, mentor or organisational expert. There is a lot of confusion out there regarding the roles of each of these professions. Suffice to say at this stage that they are different but can have a number of overlapping skills and modes of working.

What exactly is a coach?

To add to the confusion there are many different definitions of coaching and for the purposes of my reply I am using the definition of the International Coach Federation as follows : “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential’’.

This definition sees the coach as a type of facilitator who is there to get the best out of you and not necessarily to direct you in any particular direction. He takes the view that you are the best expert on what and how you do and that his job is to help get the best solution out of you. The coach therefore in this context is not a content expert but an expert on how you perform and process your view of reality.  The great benefit of this process is that it brings about sustainable change formulated by you.

So here’s a few tips to start with:

1. Get a chemistry session with a few different coaches. What this means is try on for size how the coach operates. Is he somebody you can relate to; are comfortable with; someone who you can respect and trust? The key to successful outcomes in coaching is found in that special relationship between coach and coachee. Most coaches are happy to give a free introductory session. All of the large organisations engaging coaches insist on a chemistry session to start with, so don’t be afraid to ask.
2. Does he speak your ‘language’; does he understand the jargon and buzz of the industry you’re in?  It’s not essential that he does but it can make the whole communication process easier. It can also facilitate empathy, which is vital to the relationship between you and your coach.
3. Coaching is an action-orientated process, not a talking exercise. Thus your coach needs to commit you to actions that will lead to the changes you desire. Do you believe he will do this with sufficient challenge and that you will be accountable to him for these commitments?
4. Do you feel you can trust and confide in this person? Will he honour the confidentiality of the information you share? Sometimes trusting your ‘gut’ in these instances will look after you. However you can also check that he is a member of a reputable coaching organisation with strong explicit ethical guidelines and professional standards.
5. In addition to personal qualities also ask and verify if necessary that he has undertaken coach-specific training and that he has adequate experience of the type of coaching you need, supported by references.