What Do You Look For in an Executive Coach?

I was interviewed the other day by a potential coaching client. He asked me about my approach to coaching. How often I interacted with my clients? Some of the other industries I had worked in. How long had I been coaching? Then he asked me a question that I thought was superb.

“John, if you were going to get an executive coach, what would you look for?” Here is my reply.

• Complete honesty and integrity.
• Their values align with mine.
• The courage to speak with candor. Someone who will tell me things I don’t want to hear. 
• Solid business experience (does not have to be in my industry, often, it is better if not).
• A lifelong learner.
• Someone who won’t try to tell me how to run my business.
• Someone I can trust to keep things confidential.
• A sense of humor.
• Someone who asks excellent questions and is an intense listener.
• Someone who does not need me as a client. That way, they won’t be focused on money.

Hiring an executive coach is a significant investment of your time and money. It’s essential to ask them lots of questions. You want someone who will be a good match for what you are trying to achieve. The right coach can make a tremendous positive impact on your career and your business. Choose wisely. 

Please visit my site at https://johnspence.com/contact/ if you want to get in contact with me. I’d love to hear from you.