How Do I Choose a Life Coach?
A Great Life Coach will Challenge, Encourage, and Honor You in Your Path of Growth
Life coaching is a booming field. With the prevalence of existential disconnection that our society is faced with, and the aimlessness and purposelessness that comes along with it, it is no surprise that people are turning to external sources to help them rediscover their meaning and find success. However, when faced with deciding who to take on as your life coach, there are certain qualities you should be sure that your prospective coach has.
Openness
A life coach should be high in the personality trait of openness. This trait is marked by imaginative thinking, curiosity, and a willingness to make novel choices. The ability to remain open and nonjudgmental is a key component of a coach’s ability to inspire dynamic change.
Authenticity
Your coach should show up for you in full authenticity, not utilizing cheap and unethical manipulation tactics to get you to comply with their dictates. Authenticity is something that can be sensed when we are paying attention, so trust your intuition when you are vetting a potential coach.
Communication Skill
We’ve all been merely told to do something, only to have our defenses raised in rejection of being “given an order.” An adept life coach, rather, will know how to ask probing questions that will allow you to realize what is in your best self-interest, and frame things in a way that will make you excited to progress.
Honesty
Your coach needs to show up for you in the fullness of his or her honesty. To sugar coat, white lie, or omit the full truth is to sacrifice your growth for the sake of avoiding a minor discomfort. It is not acceptable. Be sure that your coach is a person who shows up with complete honesty and provides you with plentiful reasons to trust him or her.
Vision
A coach worth their salt will be a visionary person. Without vision, a coach will not be able to help you craft a plan for your personal advancement that is achievable, adaptable, inspired, passion-driven, and personalized. Your coach should be able to see the path forward, even when you can’t.
These are five of the qualities that any life coach should have, and things to look out for when interviewing potential coaches. Of course, there are many more qualities that will make a worthwhile coach. If you feel ready to explore whether coaching is right for you, you can check out the offerings of Texture Coaching.
