Comments on: Who’s a Fake Coach?

By: Bev morrison

Bev morrison — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:46:09 +0000

Great post Maia. I too have ‘let go’ of clients when I don’t feel that we are getting anywhere. Some people come for coaching because it is the ‘right’ thing to do but don’t really want to make changes in their lives. When you are hearing the same story over and over and there is one step forward and 5 steps backwards you need to question a)whether this person does really want to move on and b)whether you are the right person to work with them if you are not achieving the results.

By: Felicia - I Complete Me

Felicia - I Complete Me — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:43:01 +0000

This is a great posts. I too made a decision to no longer work with a client. I am new to coaching and through working with my coach I realized that she was (1) not ready to be coached and (2) may need counseling. Plus she was abusive of our relationship. She was a friend and felt that she could pick up the phone at anytime and say she needs a session, when I specifically gave her a time for coaching. My time is very important to me and should not be abused.

By: Jackie Cameron

Jackie Cameron — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:03:30 +0000

Very useful advice Maia. I have only once had to “sack” a client and it was on the basis of a gut feeling that she was holding back something deliberately. Despite telling her how I felt it continued and ethically I could no longer work with her as I did not feel it would be of any use to her.

I need to have some discussion with potential clients – at the very least to build rapport – before starting work together. I agree there is no one size fits all – for qualifications or how coaching is delivered. Anyone thinking of hiring a coach should ask around to find a coach who is a good fit with them – and trust their instincts when they do.

By: pollyanna Jacobs

pollyanna Jacobs — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:42:04 +0000

This is great. Helps in my search. Thanks!

By: Bud Bilanich

Bud Bilanich — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:45:44 +0000

Great post Maia.

I’d like to make two points —

1) I agree that certifications do not make a coach. In fact, sometimes, I think that certifications can lead people who have no real experience in helping others to adopt a cokkie cutter approach to coaching. In my experience, one size does not fit all.

2) A good coach does not sell too hard. He or she will maintain his or her sense of self and personal ethics.

I recently lost a corporate coaching assignment because the client was not willing to have her boss participate in the goal setting phase of the coaching. One of my hard and fast rules is that if a company is paying for a client’s coaching, the company has a right to be involved in determining the desired outcomes for the coaching.

My point is that good coaches have standards. Beware of coaches who will do and say anything just to gain you as a client

All the best,
Bud Bilanich
The Common Sense Guy

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