Over 70% of individuals who received business coaching improved their work performance, relationships, and communication skills.
Business coaches imbue their clients with confidence and lifelong skills that will enhance their careers. Perhaps your company is considering hiring a business coach but you’re not sure what to look for.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.
- Know Your Needs
Before comparing coaching fees, you must consider your business and the stage it’s at. This will help you find the right coach because some are best for beginners while others deal with clients at a higher level.
You should also think about the support you need with your business. For instance, do you need help with scaling your company? Or are you eager to increase sales?
Trust your instincts when you meet with business coaches. You should feel excited that you’re investing in your dreams and eager to work with someone who has the expertise to elevate your business.
- Experience
The ideal candidate must have business coaching experience whether they’ve written a book or regularly give lectures. You should also check their services and avoid coaches that promise results in every field. Instead, reputable coaches are an expert in several fields like Cadence Leadership.
Business coaching isn’t a regulated industry so talk to your coach and check whether they’ve had training, attended a recognized establishment, or have several years’ experience. This will show you whether they’re knowledgeable and have the right skills.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the coach’s past clients to ask for their opinion. This is especially useful if you find references who work in the same industry as you can see whether the coach is worth the investment.
Once you’re happy, book a free consultation so you can learn more about them as a person and see if there’s good chemistry between you both. You should feel positive, motivated, and feel like you can trust them as you’ll be spending a lot of time together.
- Confidentiality
Aside from stellar references and reviews, you must trust your business coach wholeheartedly as you’ll be sharing confidential data with them. Note that coaches work with multiple organizations at once, and possibly a competitor, so the candidate must respect boundaries and keeps sensitive information under wraps.
During the interview, ask the candidates how they deal with these challenges and if they’ve successfully done it in the past.
- Seek Accountability
Regardless of the types of businesses, coaches should hold their clients accountable throughout the process. Find a coach that listens to you, pays attention to your goals, and hold you accountable for your actions. You’re not hiring a friend to chat to, the point of hiring a business coach is to tackle the obstacles hindering your growth.
Your business coach should give you tough love, call you out, and tell you what you need to hear instead of sugar-coating certain issues.
- Teaches You New Concepts
You may feel stagnant in your role or unsure what you’re expected to do. This is where a business coach comes in as they can show you the areas you must work on. Reputable coaches know what leadership entails and the necessary skills to ensure you’re great at it.
After several sessions, you should learn how to promote collaboration, develop your team’s skillset, and resolve conflicts among employees.
- Broadens Your Perspective
You can’t grow unless you’re learning new perspectives. Reputable coaches will shatter limiting beliefs or assumptions you have so you can view any issues anew. Coaches do this by playing devil’s advocate, offering extra viewpoints, and asking questions to challenge your thought process or current views.
- Driven Regarding Your Success
You must find a business coach who is determined for you to succeed. Instead of focusing on their accomplishments, coaches should ask you questions to understand your company and brainstorm ways to improve it. Further, your business coach should be available throughout the process so they can offer you support and encouragement when you need it.
- Great Business Skills
Aside from fantastic coaching skills, candidates must have robust business skills so they can also teach you too. After all, there’s no point getting constant motivation but when it comes to business-related challenges, the coach won’t be able to help you.
Further, during the interview, ask whether the coach attends training. Like with any skillset, coaches must continue to learn new business, marketing, and coaching skills so they can best serve their clients.
What to Avoid
Once you have an idea of what to look for, it’s important to notice red flags. Reputable coaches won’t play cheerleaders and shower you with positive reinforcement regardless of what you do. This is dangerous because you could be making mistakes without realizing it.
Further, coaches shouldn’t be your therapist even if they’re qualified. You want someone objective regarding your performance and business goals. Coaches also shouldn’t shadow manage your business or only take your viewpoint. If they do this, you won’t be able to grow and pinpoint the areas you’re currently struggling with.
That’s How to Find the Best Business Coaches
Hopefully, you now know how to find the best business coaches to help grow your business.
Check they have adequate experience, great references, and are trustworthy as you’ll be sharing sensitive information with them. Reputable business coaches broaden your perspective, are driven by your success, and have an extensive skillset so they can help you with a range of problems. Happy hunting!
Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out our other posts on business to services.