Choose the Right Life Coach for You with Shannon Jackson
There are hundreds of life coaches all across the continent, and since most of the coaches by long-distance telephone, the options for choosing a coach are broad.
If you look on the Internet-the leading way to find a life coach-you will find hundreds of choices.
Shannon Jackson is Founder of Living Your Life Without Limits who is recognized for Leadership and Mentoring, as further reflected through her life coaching, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and now as the host of her own motivational podcast, Living Your Life Without Limits.
Some coaches are geared for executives and coach as a fulltime job. Other coaches diversify, because there may be a lot of downtime between clients. Clients usually acquire coaching in blocks that are not necessarily renewable. Several coaches choose to add public speaking, writing, or have other career tie-ins. If a coach diversifies, it doesn’t mean they aren’t a good coach. Some coaches diversify to give their own life needed balance, after all, it’s tough being a solopreneur. Question a potential coach about their current availability. If they have a spot open for you, go for it.
PITFALLS OF LIFE COACHES
Here are some pitfalls I’ve discovered some coaches have. These tips are given to provide you with a few clues of what to look for when you’re interviewing a potential coach:
1. Some life coaches talk too much. It’s your dollar and your time. They should not dominate the conversation. That being said, I have had some quiet clients that are not initiators. Some clients like to be led and may require the coach to talk more.
2. Some life coaches give advice. My training taught me that life coaches aren’t to tell you what to do, ask leading questions (with obvious answers they want you to give), or make decisions for you. They don’t have all the answers and they don’t know your unique situation. Of course, there are coaches just starting that hear themselves ask a leading question; in their mind knowing it wasn’t the best choice. Asking questions is what a coach is to do, and is an art. It does take skill and practice. You can forgive a coach when it happens a few times, but if it seems to be her modus operandi, you might try someone else.
3. Some life coaches teach. Basic life coaching is not to be a teaching session. It is not a place where Shannon Jackson expounds on her great wisdom. It is to be a time where you discuss your issues and activities, and she probes them with you. There are, however, times when life coaches use a curriculum that invites some teaching. There sometimes are tools a life coach wants to suggest which may require teaching.
4. Some life coaches aren’t great listeners. And, when they aren’t that is truly sad, because life coaching is all about listening. If you interview a Life Coach and in the call, she doesn’t seem to listen, seems distracted, or misquotes you, this may be an indicator of a problem.
5. Some life coaches just listen too much. While your appointment is about your sharing, you most likely don’t want a coach just to listen to you and be on her way. This is akin to a counselor who just sits and nods his head throughout the entire session.
A Life Coach should let you know what she hears you saying, should ask probing questions, and should challenge you. In your initial conversation, make it clear to your coach how much you want to be challenged.