Hi,
I would appreciate your views and advice on how to select the right external coach. I am curently putting together a paper on how external coaches are selected for coaching activities, including coaching types / techniques, accreditation / qualifications and setting up a coaching contract etc.
I would love to hear what other organisations currently do to choose their external coaches.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Tamara Griffin
[email protected]
6 Responses
Choosing a coach
Your main aim should be choosing a coach that actually walks the talk – there are too many out there that don’t. One way to check is by personal recommendation, another is to find a coach that has their own supervisor. This could be because they see the need and are doing it voluntarily, or because they are studying for a psychotherapy qualification. As far as any other qualifications go, look at who the issuing body is and decide whether they are really credible or are just jumping on the bandwagon.
Choosing the right coach
I agree with Kevin, and would add that it is important to ask for references and then check them out. Meet with the coach, as coaching is a one to one or one to team activity personalities count. You might want to check out if they are a member of the Association of Coaching or International Coach Federation. Most of the reputable training providers have codes of conduct too. Some of their websites also give guidance on chosing a coach which you might find helpful. Also check out if the coach has other skills or qualifications,such as NLP.
If you want to discuss further contact me.
Choosing a coach
A new guide (free to download)has been added recently to the CIPD website. It reviews how coaching is being used in business and recommendations on how to select coaches. You may find this useful as you develop your matrix,
http://www.cipd.co.uk
Rosie Gray
Choose a coach like any other professional service provider
The problem with membership of the AC or ICF or any other organisation is that anyone can join, because they exist to make money out of coaches. There is no central accrediation body, the CIPD have a vested interest in you selecting CIPD members and so the only reliable person who you can really trust is yourself. Before you even get into coaching skills, you have to ask yourself “is this the kind of person I can do business with?” because what you are buying is a professional service, like any other. Since all lawyers or accountants are licensed, how do you choose the one you want to work with? If that criteria works for you, use it as your first line of choosing a coach. Then you are in a much better position to decide how good they are as a coach.
Selecting the right coach
Hi Tamara,
I wanted to add some pointers to what has already been said.
Firstly, the Association of Coaching is a non-profit making organisation and thoroughly vets their members so they are a good point of call.
Secondly, there are checks that you can carry out to vet coaches:
1) Ask for proof of their acccreditation by a coaching body such as ICF or UKCLC
2)Ask for references from reputable organisations if looking for corporate coaching.
3) Ask for their code of practice which should include: abiding to an established code of ethics, undergoing CDP, having a Supervisor coach, a walk away policy when they judge another intervention such as counselling would be more appropriate, their standard contract with clients.
4)Ask who they have worked with, how many coaching hours they have completed and what areas they have coached in such as: time management, conflict resolution, strategic planning, exit strategy etc.
5)Ask the coach to offer you a complimentary coaching session so that you can assess their skill, style and ability as a coach first hand.
I’ve done a lot of research into this area and passionately believe in the professionalism of coaching so don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Candy
A coaches view on selecting a coach!
Coaching is an intensly personal experience, so what is critical is the quality of connection that the coach and the “client” create. Does the person being helped know that he or she will be both cared for and challenged/stetched creatively? The only real judge of that is client.
However, you can test this by having a session on something real for you with the coach yourself. Your experience will be a a better test than an accreditation or even a reference.
Also look for evidence that the coach gets coaching. If the coach does not experience regularly the disconcerting, but profound, effects of being listened to intensly and asked searching questions, she or he lose empathy and will fail to be helpful.
Best wishes