Finding the Right Leadership Coach
As a rising or executive leader, investing in leadership coaching can be a wonderful way to enhance your skills, achieve your goals and become more effective with others. But with so many coaching options available, and a wide range of leadership coaches to choose from, how do you select the right coach to match your style and objectives?
At Nebo, we take the coach matching process seriously. Using an individualized approach, we first will speak with you to better understand your needs and goals. From there, we’ll select three or four coaches whom we think are likely to be the right fit. Even though we guide you through the process, making it smooth and easy, there are things you can do on your end to ensure you have the right coach for you.
From Nebo’s two decades of coach matching experience, here are some tips to consider on how to find the right leadership coach:
Define your needs, aspirations and goals: Before you start the coach matching process, take a few minutes to reflect on what you hope to achieve through coaching and the areas where you would like growth or support. This will help you zoom in on the experiences and attributes of a coach that may be helpful to you.
Research possible coaches: You can look at Nebo’s extensive coaching pool, read their bios, and see who looks like the right fit. You might look for coaches who have experience and expertise in the areas you are looking to improve in. Check out their profiles to get a sense of their approaches and results. Reading bios helps you learn how coaches present themselves!
Consider the coaching style that you would like most: Different coaches have different approaches, resources to offer, and styles. Some may be more directive, while others may be more collaborative. Consider what style and background will work best for you and your needs. Again, the bios will help you find possible fits.
Look for a coach with a background that interests you: Consider the skills and experience that a coach brings to the table, and how they might complement or contrast your own strengths and areas for growth. For example, if you are looking to improve your communication skills, a coach with a background in writing, public speaking or media training might be a good fit. Similarly, if you are working on developing your “brand” as a senior leader, someone with previous executive leadership experience might be a good choice. It is not a given that someone whose background fits yours will be the best coach for you, though. Do consider coaches whose perspectives are different than your own.
Consider the coaching format and location: Coaching can take place in person, over the phone, or through video conferencing. Consider which format will work best for you given your schedule and location. Look at where the coach is located, if being in-person for your sessions is important to you, you might pick a coach in the same area. Or, if in-person isn’t a high priority, you can pick a coach who lives across the country, but speaks to your already identified priorities.
By exploring these tips, you can choose the leadership coach that will best support you. Remember to be proactive in your search, and don’t be afraid to interview a few different coaches to find the best fit for you. Investing in leadership coaching can be a powerful way to enhance your leadership presence and impact, so take the time to find the right coach for you.
The coach-client relationship is an important one, but we often remind our clients that there are many coaches out there that will be a great fit for you.
So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to our Coaching Solutions Team to get started on your coaching journey today.
