10 Super Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing The Right Life Coach for You
Selecting the perfect professional coach to help you uncover the blindspots that you've been stumbling over and develop the skills you'll need to take your life and career to the next level or achieve that widely important goal takes a bit of research. You want to be sure your coach has deep experience in many modalities of coaching and understands your specific situation and what you want to achieve. You have to feel that their coaching style is a solid fit for you. When you've identifies these elements, don't let them go! Together you'll achieve your personal goals, and raise yourself to the next level in far less time than you can on your own.
10 Super Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing The Right Life Coach for You
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1. What is it I want?
Can't seem to answer this question for yourself? Getting clarity on what you want to achieve in life, in love or in your career, is a great first goal to work on with your coach. Deborah knows exactly how to help you get out of your own way and get clear on this question, once and for all.
2. What kind of coach do I need?
There’s a coach for everybody out there. Business coaches, holistic, new age, kick ass, relaxation, literary, career, bald-headed, bearded and grey-suited or healer and kaftan and crystal coaches. What would suit you and your style? My coaching approach is grounded in heart and backed by science. I understand what works. I will challenge you to take your life to the next level, have compassion as you step outside your comfort zone to make it happen and celebrate your successes as you make progress in far less time that you would going it alone.
3. How much should I pay?
All coaching is an investment in you and removing the roadblocks to what you want to achieve. If you want a coach to invest themselves in your success, you also have to to invest in your coach. You have to be, if not completely prepared, at least willing to invest yourself in the process. Discuss with your coach how much time each week you are able to allocate to your goals so a reasonable roadmap to you success can be established. Be prepared to invest in emotional equity and be patient with yourself as you move out of your comfort zone to achieve what you set out to accomplish. My Coaching rates start at $250 and go up to $2400 depending on the retainer agreement.
4. Do I prefer structure or a more customized approach?
Our Recruit Your Employer is a step by step approach using the lastest and most effective job search strategies for 2020. Follow the process and reap the rewards. The Design Your Life and Strategic Interventions Packages are tailored. My coaching sessions are totally customized to suit your needs, your goals and your personality. I have a fluid approach that deceptively belies a steely intention to fast track you to your desired dream. You will feel understood (at last!), supported and reassured you are in really safe hands while you do the work in changing your life.
5. What results have they achieved with other clients?
On my website you will see many testimonials from all types of people and different stages in their lives. Let their stories guide you. Have a look at both my HOME PAGE, MY RESULTS page and even have a look at my LINKEDIN Recommendations.
6. What results have they achieved in their lives?
One of the great things about being a coach is that you have to walk your talk. I have overcome family dysfunction, stage fright, alcoholism, panic attacks, insecurities and fallen forward through failure to build a life of joy, satisfaction and peace of mind.
Highlights include:
Highlights include:
- Coaching Clients throughout North and South America, UK and Dubai in devleoping effectiveness (habits of success) and fear mastery (mindset)
- Founding Director of TIAA Chairman's Executive Mentoring Program operating in NYC, Denver and Charlotte.
- Built a happy, loving and committed marriage of over 26 years and going strong. (Easier than it seems)
- Raised three self-reliant, empowered daughters and then adjusted to being an empty nester (harder than it sounds)
- Directed and/or produced over two dozen staged theatre productions, served as President of the Executive Board of the Oldest Continous Children's Community Theater in the United States.
- Facilitated dozens of workshops in New York and DC on Habits of Effectiveness and Productivity, Fearless Mastery, Fearless Living and Overcoming the fear of rejection/failure.
- Wonderful Corporate Career of 18 years on both the for profit and not for profit sides of Financial Systems and Technology. Retired. Business Owner.
7. Will the coach give me advice?
In Strategic Intervention and Design Your Life Coaching, you are the agenda 100% of the time. A coach worth their salt help you to uncover your personal blindspots and where you are getting in your own way. As you uncover and adjust the mindset that's held you back, you'll find you don't need advice. What you need to do becomes crystal clear. You coach will also help you with developing the descipline to follow through. You have all the greatest abilities within you to get to where you want to be. I help you find your specific key to tap into it and unlock your own talent so you are powerfully able to create a life you will live, not just now, but for ever more.
In career coaching or effectiveness coaching, the process is fairly directed. There is a process to follow for your best success. Less advice, more direction, feedback and insights.
In career coaching or effectiveness coaching, the process is fairly directed. There is a process to follow for your best success. Less advice, more direction, feedback and insights.
8. Do I have chemistry with the coach?
This is essential. You have to like and trust your coach or the process wont work. If you feel it’s a mismatch of personality or you don’t trust them, keep looking. A honest coach will also let you know if they don't see the relationship being a good fit for your of you and may recommend another coach.
9. Does the coach have a coach?
Yes. Always. When I first graduated I hired the best coaches I could afford in order to learn from the masters. When ever I want to move out of my comfort zone and into a new level, I still seek out a coach for a specific reason and for a season to help pull me up to greater levels and keep me at my best.
10. What does my Soul say?
You should feel optimistic thrilled, excited and really engaged with the idea of working with this coach. Coaching is a serious business but it can also be fun, enlightening and deeply life changing. You should feel truly joyous to be working with the coach of your choice. It's your life so choose the right coach to make it a truly awesome one.
Coaching Vs. Therapy
What is Coaching
Coaching starts with a designed alliance that will determine how we will work together. This will include how we will communicate, defining what you want to achieve, and how we will work together to move you forward.
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
This is not a black and white question because many different styles and modalities exist within both therapy and coaching. Here is a basic breakdown that may help:
Coaching – Tends to work from the present moving forward
Therapy – May spend a lot of time looking at your past and how you arrived at the present.
Coaching – Looks to identify what “saboteurs” (inner critics) are taking you off track and how to manage them.
Therapy – Some of these “saboteurs” may be dominating your life so much that they have caused your life to become unmanageable.
Coaching – Does not utilize a lot of “story” and tends to get to the bottom line.
Therapy – Does explore a lot of “story”.
Coaching – Use of direct, powerful questions.
Therapy – A more sensitive approach to questioning.
Coaching – A predetermined time commitment, usually 3-6 months.
Therapy – Undefined time commitment, can go as long as needed.
Coaching – It is common for tasks to be assigned between sessions.
Therapy – Not as much, if at all.
Coaching – Not Therapy
Therapy – Not Coaching
Coaching and therapy can both be very effective ways for people to move forward with their lives. It is also not uncommon to work simultaneously with both a coach and a therapist.
Coaching – Tends to work from the present moving forward
Therapy – May spend a lot of time looking at your past and how you arrived at the present.
Coaching – Looks to identify what “saboteurs” (inner critics) are taking you off track and how to manage them.
Therapy – Some of these “saboteurs” may be dominating your life so much that they have caused your life to become unmanageable.
Coaching – Does not utilize a lot of “story” and tends to get to the bottom line.
Therapy – Does explore a lot of “story”.
Coaching – Use of direct, powerful questions.
Therapy – A more sensitive approach to questioning.
Coaching – A predetermined time commitment, usually 3-6 months.
Therapy – Undefined time commitment, can go as long as needed.
Coaching – It is common for tasks to be assigned between sessions.
Therapy – Not as much, if at all.
Coaching – Not Therapy
Therapy – Not Coaching
Coaching and therapy can both be very effective ways for people to move forward with their lives. It is also not uncommon to work simultaneously with both a coach and a therapist.
Why do people come to see Deborah?
When you decide to work with Deborah its' usually because there is some level of dissatisfaction, overwhelm or frustration in your personal or professional lives' that is just nagging at you. You find you're are not making progress on their own, and haven't found the support you need among family, friends or colleagues.
Deborah's deep background in fear mastery principles and practices is the primary reason people love working with her. They want to get out of their own way and on with their lives and relationship goals. However, Deborah is keenly aware that often you're not interested in tackling your fears just for the sake of being fearless. There's a reason you are seeking more confidence. You want to tackle a situation in your own life, perhaps its' personal, perhaps it's a relationship, or you need to change jobs, or make a career pivot. Perhaps you're starting over.
Deborah is aware and prepared to help you in each of these areas with sure-footed guidance, the right training and experience.
Deborah's deep background in fear mastery principles and practices is the primary reason people love working with her. They want to get out of their own way and on with their lives and relationship goals. However, Deborah is keenly aware that often you're not interested in tackling your fears just for the sake of being fearless. There's a reason you are seeking more confidence. You want to tackle a situation in your own life, perhaps its' personal, perhaps it's a relationship, or you need to change jobs, or make a career pivot. Perhaps you're starting over.
Deborah is aware and prepared to help you in each of these areas with sure-footed guidance, the right training and experience.
What do I have to do?
Coaching mostly takes place on the phone or via video conference in 45-60 minute sessions. You book a time for the session and allow anywhere from an hour to two hours to complete the actions items that result from the session once the session is complete. Eliminating the need to travel makes the best use of your time. This makes it convenient for the time poor and is a very powerful way of getting straight to the issue.
Is it like therapy?
No, I’m not a therapist, new age guru, dietitian, mind-reader or miracle worker. I may look to your past to see what might be holding you back but coaching is dynamic as it works in the here and now and gives you a practical route to where you want to be.
What does the coach do?
It’s my job to help you clarify your goal, the obstacles that are standing between you and your goal and then build a bridge through fear mastery, best practices and an agreement to take the action that creates the results and the momentum you seek.
As your life coach I will be:
As your life coach I will be:
- 100% committed to your success
- Available in between sessions with feedback and written coaching to supplement our sessions and maintain your momentum.
- Constantly inspiring and motivating you along the way
- Giving you a completely confidential service
- A hand to hold or rocket fuel if you need it
- Offering unconditional support throughout the coaching process
- Always providing creative ways of helping you
- Believing in you even when you don’t
Why Would I choose to Work with an Executive coach?
- You want to know how you are perceived in the workplace.
- You need to manage your boss more effectively.
- You want to position yourself for your next job.
- You don’t understand how to mange in your new corporate culture.
- You want to be effective when there is a new boss or reorganization.
- You want to learn how to successfully navigate your organization’s culture.
For a job transition or preparing for a job transition:
- You need a process to manage a daunting job search so you won’t
feel overwhelmed. - You want to change career fields and don’t know how to position yourself.
- You need a resume that will effectively position you in the marketplace.
- You want to do more than just apply to ads when searching for a job.
- You don’t know how to effectively interview.
- You need guidance with salary negotiations.
does a career coach need a background in my industry or function?
If you are hiring a coach to help you through a job transition, it is not important for the coach to have a background in your industry or function. The coach brings knowledge about the marketplace, advice about how to determine what you want to do, and suggestions about how to achieve your job goals.
If you’re hiring a coach to help with a specific challenge on your current job, the industry or function will not be as important as the coach’s ability to assess the issue with you, to develop alternatives and to determine the best course of action. The coach’s experience will be important in assessing their ability to provide the counsel that you are seeking.
If you’re hiring a coach to help with a specific challenge on your current job, the industry or function will not be as important as the coach’s ability to assess the issue with you, to develop alternatives and to determine the best course of action. The coach’s experience will be important in assessing their ability to provide the counsel that you are seeking.
Career Coach FAQ
How should I choose a Career Coach?
Here are some points to consider:
- What is the Career Coach’s experience and certification?
- Does the person listen to your coaching needs and clearly articulate
how you will work together? - How accessible will the person be?
- What is their fee and how do they charge?
- After talking with the person, how comfortable do you feel with them?
How will using a career coach benefit me?
A career coach will:
- Provide expert guidance in helping you determine your career goals, navigate the
job market, or resolve a challenging aspect of your current job. - Be a confidant that knows you and is committed to helping you achieve your
career goals. - Help you avoid pitfalls so you can achieve your career goals.
- Enable you to gain insight about yourself that will be useful in achieving your
career goals. - Be a neutral third party who can impartially assess a situation, provide you with additional ways of looking at it, and help you develop alternatives to successfully manage the situation.
Why would choose to work with a career coach?
For a job transition or preparing for a job transition:
- You need a process to manage a daunting job search so you won’t
feel overwhelmed. - You want to change career fields and don’t know how to position yourself.
- You need a resume that will effectively position you in the marketplace.
- You want to do more than just apply to ads when searching for a job.
- You don’t know how to effectively interview.
- You need guidance with salary negotiations.
- You want to know how you are perceived in the workplace.
- You need to manage your boss more effectively.
- You want to position yourself for your next job.
- You don’t understand how to mange in your new corporate culture.
- You want to be effective when there is a new boss or reorganization.
- You want to to learn how to successfully navigate your organization’s culture.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on why you have decided to work with a Career Coach. Before you decide to commit to working with your Career Coach, ask how the two of you will determine the number of sessions. It is important to ask whether or not there is a preset number that you must take or if you can work with the coach to determine a number that is appropriate.
Does a career coach neeed a background in my industry or function?
If you are hiring a coach to help you through a job transition, it is not important for the coach to have a background in your industry or function. The coach brings knowledge about the marketplace, advice about how to determine what you want to do, and suggestions about how to achieve your job goals.
If you’re hiring a coach to help with a specific challenge on your current job, the industry or function will not be as important as the coach’s ability to assess the issue with you, to develop alternatives and to determine the best course of action. The coach’s experience will be important in assessing their ability to provide the counsel that you are seeking.
If you’re hiring a coach to help with a specific challenge on your current job, the industry or function will not be as important as the coach’s ability to assess the issue with you, to develop alternatives and to determine the best course of action. The coach’s experience will be important in assessing their ability to provide the counsel that you are seeking.