Some leaders are made. Some are born that way. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. If you lack leadership skills, all you need to do is train yourself harder. Hiring a leadership mentor or coach is one way to make that happen. The first step is finding and choosing the right coach for you. Here’s sound advice from experts.
Do Your Homework
Consider which companies have a good reputation in the industry. Start there. While that doesn’t mean you should limit your options, the best firms tell you what qualities you should look for in a leadership coach. That way, you can filter through options with an eye for those qualities.
Consider Thought Leadership
What brand of leadership do they teach? Go over their guests posts, LinkedIn profiles, and even articles. Get a sense of who they are. If you can’t wait to work with them, then go right ahead and set up an appointment.
During the Appointment
Whether it’s an online or in-person appointment, the important thing is to check if you and the coach are a good fit. Are you comfortable during the session? When you ask questions, does the coach provide answers, or do they dismiss your concerns or worries? By the time that session ends, you’ll have a good idea whether that coach’s teaching style is compatible with your personality.
Talk About Expectations
Before the coaching, you and your coach will want to tackle your expectations from the sessions. What do you want to look forward to once the sessions are over? What do you want to learn? Your coach can tell you which of your expectations are spot-on and which ones aren’t aligned with the sessions. If you do want to learn areas outside of the coaching field, ask if that’s possible with the coach.
