One of my most memorable clients was a young executive named Sarah, she has agreed that I can use her real name in this post. She came to me after working with a coach who, unfortunately, was not the right fit for her.
Sarah was a rising star in her company, and she had big aspirations for her career. She wanted to become a leader and make a real impact in her industry. But her previous coach had a different agenda. He focused on quick-fix solutions and pushed her to make drastic changes to her personality and behaviour, without taking into account her unique strengths and values.
Sarah felt lost and disheartened. She wasn’t sure if she was capable of achieving her goals, or even if she wanted to continue in her career. That’s when she reached out to me.
I knew right away that Sarah was a special person with a lot of potential. I wanted to help her rediscover her passion and purpose, and build a path to her dreams that was true to who she was. So, we set to work.
We spent time getting to know each other, and I learned about her background, goals, and values. Together, we created a vision for her future that was inspiring and realistic. We worked on her leadership skills, her communication, and her ability to navigate the corporate world. We even tackled some personal issues that were impacting her performance at work.
Through our work together, Sarah regained her confidence and her sense of direction. She landed a promotion and was finally able to make a real impact in her company and her industry. She was grateful for our time together, and I was proud of the progress she made.
If you’re considering working with a coach, here are three tips on what to look for:
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Look for a coach who understands you. A coach who can relate to your background, your goals, and your values is more likely to help you achieve your aspirations.
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Find a coach with a holistic approach. A coach who can help you with many aspects of work and life, not just one specific area, is more likely to give you a lasting impact.
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Choose a coach who you feel comfortable with. A coach should be a person you feel safe opening up to and sharing your thoughts and feelings with.
And here are three red flags to watch out for:
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Avoid coaches who push you to make drastic changes to your personality and behaviour. A coach should help you build on your strengths and values, not change who you are.
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Steer clear of coaches who make unrealistic promises or guarantees. A coach should help you set realistic goals and build a plan to achieve them, not make empty promises.
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Be wary of coaches who are more interested in their own agenda than in yours. A coach should be there to help you, not push their own agenda.
In the end, Sarah and I were a great fit for each other. She was able to achieve her goals, and I was able to help her do it in a way that was true to who she was. When choosing a coach, it’s essential to make sure that you and the coach are a good fit for each other. Because, when that happens, the results can be truly transformative.