With the grace of God, I had been having a transformative family coaching intervention.

I was curious to know their criteria for selecting me as a Coach for a topic as critical, sensitive, and confidential as family relationships. 

Coach: “Are you finding value in our sessions?”

Sponsor: “The family is delighted and hence we are sharing the journey.” 

Coach: “Why did you select me? 

Sponsor: “Well, to be honest, your commercials suited us the best.”

The Coach in me was truly stumped, and it was very humbling.

Coach: “How important is this intervention for your family?”

Sponsor: “Oh, it is absolutely critical for sustainability as we run a business together.”

As a coach, I went through my “guiding principles” and chemistry sessions before signing up for the assignment. The coachee or sponsor must also do detailed due diligence before signing up a Coach. Coaching is meant to be transformative, and the Coachee must be careful who they sign up with. 

Why the Right Coach Matters

Coaching is a partnership built for transformation. A coach offers NO solutions but must be skilled to help the Coachee explore and leverage their own inner resourcefulness.
Coaching works best when the Coachee feels safe, understood, and heard. The Coachee must feel the Coach’s commitment to the Coachee’s success.

Just as you ask for references, validate with multiple sources for a doctor, lawyer, or kindergarten, please be as thorough while selecting a Coach. 

What to Actually Look for in a Coach

Finding a coach is not about who is the most popular or who is the loudest in the room. 

Professional Credentials

In today’s world, anyone can call themselves a “coach.” But not everyone has the training or experience to coach. That’s why professional credentials matter. 

One of the most respected global organizations in the coaching industry is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). They don’t just hand out titles; they uphold high standards. Coaches certified through ICF must complete extensive training hours, mentor coaching under professionals, real-world client coaching experience, and an assessment process.

Credentials are one of the most reliable ways to filter real professionals from casual talkers.

Relevant Experience

Coaching is not just about asking questions; it’s about asking the right questions and reflecting back in a way that the Coachee learns . And that only happens when a coach truly understands your environment. 

Relevant experience doesn’t mean they have the same life as you have. It means they are curious and understand your environment and your World

 Values of the Coach      

Behind every coach is a set of values that guides how they coach, why they coach, and who they choose to serve. These values influence every interaction and every question asked. A coach’s values shape their integrity, their presence, and their ability to create real transformational change.

Chemistry is important, but not everything

It is easy to want a coach who feels like you, has the same background as you, has the same work style, or has the same personality. But do you really think this would help you out?

No, If both of you think alike, who is going to challenge you? A great coach allows you to generate a fresh perspective, not comfort.

So, find someone who can dare to ask you the questions no one ever would even when it’s uncomfortable. 

Ask why the coach wants to coach

Good coaches don’t just take the job for money or titles. For many, coaching is a calling. They feel passionate about helping others.

Ask them, “Why do you coach?”

The answer can tell you how committed they are to this work.

And also, great coaches never stop learning. They read, train, and grow.

Does your Coach have a coach, mentor, supervisor?

Many professional coaches have a supervisor or a senior coach they work with. This allows them to stay sharp, discuss tricky cases (without sharing your identity), and keep improving.

If your coach has a coach, it shows they care about doing their best for you.

Client Results

At the end of the day, real results speak for themselves.

Choose with Clarity, Not Just Visibility

A good-looking website, social media fame, or big marketing campaigns can be misleading. These things are not real signs of a coach’s value. 

Look beyond the shiny surface. Dig deeper. Take your time, ask the deeper questions, and choose someone who is not just impressive but right for you. Because

Credentials matter. Boundaries matter. Results matter.