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Evaluating a personal development coach
Congratulations! You've decided to take the plunge. Now is the time to focus on your personal development. You're ready to start evaluating. A personal development coach is someone who will help you learn more about yourself, your dreams, values and goals. This coach will also help you identify what gets in the way and strategize how to overcome those challenges. You'll be supported in taking practical steps to lead you to a more fulfilling life.
But how do you go about evaluating a personal development coach? Who will create that synergistic relationship in which you'll achieve the growth you seek? Who will really hear you, help you find clarity, support you in taking the path into your future that's right for you? You're probably wondering how to go about evaluating a personal development coach that's right for you.
Here are four questions to explore that will guide you in confidently evaluating a personal development coach.
- What Do They Mean by Coaching? Professional Coaching is a unique collaborative partnership in which you are valued as a creative, resourceful participant. Professional coaching is not therapy or consulting. Their role is not work through significant underlying emotional issues. Nor are they a consulting expert who can tell you what you should do. Now that the benefits of coaching are becoming more recognized, there are many people who want to help in the role of the coach, but aren't necessarily trained to do so. Which leads us to the next question.
- What is Their Professional Coach Training? Specifically, from what school or institute did they receive training? Are they certified? What is their experience in personal development? Are you on the same page with what you mean by personal development? Do they offer references?
- What are The Logistics of The Coaching Relationship? What are the financial arrangements? How does coaching take place? Frequently coaching is done over the phone, but there are exceptions. How long are the sessions? What is your commitment? Some coaches offer to take time after the first month to evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching relationship and whether it needs some adjustments. You should feel perfectly free to decide for yourself at this point whether or not to continue without feeling an obligation.
- How is your rapport with your potential coach? Here is one last question to explore in your process of evaluating a personal development coach. Ask for a free complimentary coaching session. This way you can get a feel for them as a coach. How is your rapport? Do you find yourself energized as you talk with them? Can you start to visualize practical steps to reach your goals? These factors will be an important foundation for a great coaching relationship.
Remember, explore your options. You have the freedom to interview several coaches before making a decision. And even if you've begun and realized the fit isn't right, it's okay to move on to the right coach. By now you have some practical questions to use in effectively evaluating a personal development coach who's right for you. Take the plunge!
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