The International Coach Federation(ICF) states that "coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential". An ICF coach:
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helps people to better define and achieve their goals,
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challenges his clients to do more than what they would achieved without his support,
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supports his clients to achieve their results faster and more efficiently,
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presents possibilities and tools and provides support and structure to become more efficient.
Professional organizations, such as the ICF, have defined professional training standards for coaches before granting certification. However, it remains a sad truth that almost anybody can call himself a coach. That is why the difficulty of hiring coaches for employees should not be underestimated. The Training Journal website recommends focusing on the following areas:
Start with a needs analysis
First of all, you need to know your goal for hiring a coach. Your goals may be very specific or more general and you should base your decision on this fact.
Set clear metrics
Consider, in advance, how you will measure the impact of coaching on individuals or teams or if your goal is to introduce the so-called coaching culture to the entire company.
Ask about experience
Ask potential coaches to document how many hours of coaching they have provided, which fields they have focused on and who they have worked with. Also if they have had experience in companies in your field of expertise or of similar size. It can tell you a lot about the coach if he continues to update his coaching education
Always check references
Contact former clients of the coach you are considering hiring. Ask about the style of his work and experience with specific types of positions.
Check qualifications and membership in professional organizations
The fact that a coach has attended a large number of trainings does not automatically mean that he is a good coach. The education providers should have a good reputation. The coach's membership in a professional organization can increase his credible as well. In the Czech Republic, professional coaching organizations include the ICF, the Czech Association of Coaches (ČAKO) or the Czech branch of the European Council for Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC). Membership goes hand in hand with professional work methods and codes of ethics. (See the ICF Code of Ethics or the ČAKO Code of Ethics).
Let the coach introduce his preferred style of work
Each coach should be able to clearly describe and explain how he prefers to work with his clients and why he considers this approach as the most appropriate. At the same time, he should be sufficiently flexible to apply different approaches to fit the needs of a particular client.
Choose a coach for a specific employee or team
Note that an employee and his coach must have a good personal rapport. If you are looking for a team coach, arrange group interviews to check the coach's ability to work with the people in the team.
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