10 Keys To Detect A Coach Who Is Not Very Or Not At All Professional
In the last decade There has been a progressive increase in both the supply and demand for professional coaches What in its beginnings was considered a profession practically exclusive to the business world, has been democratized and has demonstrated, especially with the development of life coaching, that it is useful and has a place to help in multiple spheres and circumstances, not just business-related.
This wave of growth of coaches is something very positive to strengthen and consolidate this profession, but it has its negative side: since it is not a regulated profession (even) with an official association such as that of doctors, psychologists, lawyers… that ensures that certain ethical criteria are met and requires that in order to practice you must demonstrate certain skills and studies, it has been taken advantage of by some ‘false’ coaches to practice as such without having received even a minimum of training in this regard and, of course, without showing any type of ethics. professional.
The consequence of this intrusion is not only that it tarnishes a profession in which there are well-trained and qualified professionals who carry out successful coaching processes, but mainly that they play with the money and time of those who approach them seeking the support or accompaniment they need
How do you know if you are dealing with an intruder instead of a professional coach?
As we have mentioned, the client or coachee who wants to hire the services of a coach cannot go to an official association where they can check their membership number that gives them guarantees of professionalism and, even, support you in case of malpractice
But as a client who wants to receive a coaching service, you can take into account certain aspects that can help you detect if the coach you are going to is not a professional.
1. Lacks certifications
Although there is no official college of coaches in Spain, there is There are two associations, ICF and ASESCO which self-regulate the profession by accrediting coaches who meet a series of requirements based on training, experience and competencies and ensure compliance with ethical codes in the practice of coaching.
Coaches certified by one of these associations will not hesitate to show their credentials, so it is one of the first things that the coachee can ask of their coach to be sure that they will work ethically and professionally.
2. He refuses to talk about his training or his training is two days
A coach “has not made himself” You can have vital experience that helps you better practice your profession, but to be a professional coach it is necessary to train in a school with extensive accredited courses where it is guaranteed that you learn how to do a coaching process and there are hours of tutored practices. Of course, a weekend course, as shown by some false coaches, does not allow, at all, to achieve these skills.
3. It does not explain how it is going to measure the coaching process
Every coachee has the right (and almost the obligation) to ask for all the pertinent information about what the process will be like, the guidelines and parameters that will be followed, the time agreement, rates, etc In fact, a professional coach will be the one to take the first step and present this agreement to his client before he asks for it.
4. It does not facilitate a first exploratory session
Unfortunately, the main motive of an intrusive coach is to make money, so a coach of this caliber will rarely waste time on something that is very valuable for a true professional coach: offering a first exploratory session without obligation where to learn to your coachee and what they really need.
5. Lack of honesty and consistency
A coach must be honest with himself and not try to cover more than his scope An intruder in the profession will try to host as many coachees as possible without considering whether he himself is the right coach for it. A good coach is clear about his values ​​and will act consistently with them even if it means losing a client.
6. You don’t know how to delegate or derive
Closely linked to the point of honesty and consistency, a professional coach must know where his limits are. He neither treats trauma, nor mental illness, nor is he a consultant or mentor. If a supposed coach detects that the coachee needs other types of help and does not refer you to the professional you really need it is clear that neither his practice is ethical nor is he a real coach.
7. He hasn’t worked on himself
It is clear that if he has not received training in quality coaching, the “false” coach will not have carried out a fundamental task that every coaching professional must carry out before practicing as such: deep internal work. The intruder will show hesitation, doubts, fears and nervousness in certain cases because Your own unworked fears and beliefs will be boycotting you
The coachee’s unconditional acceptance of what he is, feels and tells, is one of the pillars on which coaching is based If a coach judges what his client is telling him or gives him labels such as “that’s because you’re very complaining” or “it happens to you because you’re a pessimist”, you probably shouldn’t call him a coach.
You may be interested: “Stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination: why should we avoid prejudging?”
9. He does not do active listening
One of the key tools of the professional coach’s work is active listening If a coach does not let you speak and interrupts you without only maintaining his presence and listening, you should know that his coaching process will not be effective at all.
10. Offer advice and self-help phrases
One of the false beliefs that exist around the figure of the coach is that he is a simple motivator who distributes advice and sweetened phrases. It is clear that if a coach says things like “if you want, you can” or tells what he or she would do in your place you should think about looking for someone else.
Related article: “Active listening: the key to communicating with others”
Training and information, the best weapon against intrusion
Therefore, if there is any doubt as to whether or not the coach we want to hire is a professional coach, there is nothing like asking for as much information as possible to accredit him as such, as well as focusing on details of his practice that do not agree with a good praxis.
In D’Arte Human & Business School We are strong defenders of professional and quality coaching. For this reason, we offer meticulous training with programs supported by associations such as ICF and ASESCO, to guarantee that the coaches who leave our classrooms are 100% professionals and will offer services with all the guarantees for their coachees.
