If you’re looking to grow, whether that’s in your work life, leadership skills, or personal mindset, you might be thinking about finding a coach. The right one won’t just give you advice and send you on your way. But choosing a coach is worth taking the time to find someone who fits your needs. Here’s a simple guide to help you find a coach who understands your goals and knows how to support your journey.
Before you even begin looking for a coach, consider what sort of help you need, whether it’s dealing with stress, figuring out how to lead, or knowing what direction to take in a new role. Clarity keeps you from wasting time and helps you choose a good partner. Business coaching is effective when there’s an objective in place to shape the process and to measure progress and clear differences over time.
Few things are easier than searching for a list of coaches on the internet, but that doesn’t mean every coach you find is right for you. Make sure to check out their websites, background, and even what their past clients have to say. Trawl through any videos or interviews so you get a sense of how they talk and explain things. If you do this early, you’re not going to pick someone who doesn’t fit with how you learn.
Most coaches offer a free intro call, and that’s your chance to see how it feels talking to them. Pay attention to how they listen, what kind of questions they ask, and whether they’re really present or just rushing through. Coaching is personal, so you need to feel at ease and understood during that first chat. However, if you notice something feels off or forced, it’s fine to move on and try someone else.
You don’t want a coach who just hands you a general worksheet and follows the same routine with everyone. Real growth comes when someone takes the time to understand how you think and what you're facing. That’s why personalised coaching makes such a big difference. A good coach shapes the process around you. They adjust their approach as you go, and that’s what helps the coaching work.
What matters isn’t if someone has done your job, but if they’ve faced challenges and helped others grow through tough moments. Maybe they’ve built something from scratch or coached in fast-moving settings, and that kind of background shows they understand what it takes to keep going. When someone knows the ups and downs of growth, you can trust their support is grounded in experience.
You want more than just someone to talk to once a week; you need a coach who sets real goals with you and checks in often to see how things are moving. Hiring a good coach, like the ones from business coach Perth, helps you track your progress and takes time during sessions to reflect on what’s working and what needs fixing. If there’s no clear plan or system to measure growth, that’s usually a red flag.
After talking to a few coaches, take time to think about who felt like the right fit. Go with the one who challenged you in a way that pushed you but didn’t overwhelm you, and who listened and understood where you were coming from. If a session left you feeling clear, that’s a good sign you’re on the right track. You don’t need to commit right away; just try a few more sessions and see how it goes.
A great coach doesn’t hand over answers but guides you to figure things out yourself. You’ll get the right push when you’re stuck, steady support when you’re unsure, and reminders of what you can do when things feel off. With that kind of backup, you stay focused, build confidence, and start moving forward without second-guessing. Take your time and pick someone who helps you grow for real.