How to Know When You’re Ready to Hire an Executive Coach
2024.04.10
Working with a coach (executive, leadership, burnout and resilience, career, etc.) for your professional development can be an effective way to level up your impact and to be the best leader you can be.
Before you spend time finding the right coach to work with, and invest money in their services, take a step back and assess whether or not you are truly ready to be coached at this time.
Here’s a quick self-assessment you can use.
Coaching Readiness Quiz
Rate each of the following statements.
Use the following scale.
5 = strongly agree
4 = agree
3 = neutral
2 = disagree
1 = strongly disagree
I believe working with a coach is the right next step for my development and growth (as compared to other kinds of professional development).
I am open to learning and applying ideas, concepts, techniques, and practices that are different from what I am used to.
I am prepared to try something new, and to experiment with it before I say it doesn’t work.
I am willing to discover and change behavior patterns and beliefs that are not serving me, even if it feels uncomfortable.
I am willing to invest willpower and energy into making changes in myself, work, and life.
I am willing and able to invest monetary resources into coaching services and making related changes.
I am willing to invest my time in coaching sessions and in working on “assignments” in between sessions.
Attending coaching sessions and doing the related work in between sessions would be a very high priority for me, even when work and life are hectic.
I understand that the role of the coach is to provide guidance and support, but I am responsible to do the work that is required to reach my goals.
I am willing to be open and truthful with a coach about my concerns and my progress.
When I initially commit to something, I am reliable at following through.
Add up your scores.
44 to 55: You’re ready for coaching.
Go ahead and start looking for a coach. There are executive coaches serving every specialty and niche these days – serving only chiefs of staff, catering to female founders, focused on burnout of physicians, etc.
Matching with a coach is a bit like dating, the chemistry has to be right for both of you. Be sure to do a free consult with a coach before committing. They will likely ask you how you know you’re ready for coaching at this time. Feel free to share this assessment.
33 to 43: You’re on the fence.
Take some time to reflect further. Perhaps sleep on it for a week or two. Here are two areas to probe.
- Look at the statements you rated as 1 or 2. What would it take for those scores to be higher? Is that likely to happen in the near future?
- Look at the statements you rated as 3. What would it take for those scores to be higher? Is that like to happen in the near future?
11 to 32: Coaching doesn’t seem like a good fit for you right now.
Whether this is disappointing to you or a relief, it’s great to have learned this before you’ve gone any further. Revisit this assessment again in three to six months. People change, circumstances change.
If you’re a high-ambition, mission-driven millennial or gen z leader who feels called to use their professional skills for the greater good, wants to continue to advance as a leader, and doesn’t want to sacrifice their well-being while doing so, Burnout Proof Leaders might have the right coach for you. Learn more.
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