When considering getting a coach or mentor, there are several important factors to consider, so you can ensure that you find the right fit and maximise the benefits of the relationship:

It is important to be clear about what your business goals and objectives are.  What do you want to accomplish?  So, spend some time thinking this through and define what you hope to achieve through coaching or mentoring.

When you have clear goals, it will help you and your coach/mentor tailor the sessions to meet your specific needs and you will get more out of the process.

We all have people we connect with and that is important.  You want someone you can be completely honest with and open to.   It’s by dealing with the problems and hurdles that stop you moving forwards, that you can take the release the brakes on personal progress and business improvement.

You will get the most out of this process by accepting where you are, being clear about where you want to get to, and acknowledging what you see as getting in your way.  Then you can focus your time, energy, and actions on moving in the direction you seek.

You can see that to do that effectively, having compatibility with your coach or mentor is important.  You will be able to assess compatibility by talking with them, finding out about their background and experiences, what motivates them how they work with people. and getting to understand them.

So, look for a coach or mentor whose personality, values, and communication style align with yours. A good fit will foster trust and openness, which are essential for a productive relationship.

Assessing expertise and experience of a coach or mentor can be a little trickier because you could pick someone who has gone down the path you want to travel, or someone who has succeeded via a different route.   Both approaches may lead to good results.  But which is going to be most appropriate for you at this time?

In many ways having someone who has different perspectives can be really advantageous to you and your business.   There are countless examples where businesses have learnt from each other, but they work in very different markets or sectors.    You can apply new thinking and approaches, to quite different businesses and still get great results.

You could seek out someone with relevant expertise and experience in the areas you want to develop. Whether it’s career advancement, personal growth, or skill enhancement, consider if your coach or mentor has the knowledge to guide you effectively.

Find out about your prospective coach/mentors track record by reading testimonials or references from past clients to gauge their effectiveness and reliability.  Review their background, credentials, and reputation.    Notice how you feel when you read the testimonials, is that what you would like want for you?

The practicalities also need to be checked.  Can you meet at mutually convenient times?  Consider how often you’ll meet or communicate with your coach/mentor.  What makes sense for you?   What methods will work best for you e.g., do you need in-person meetings, or do you prefer phone calls, or virtual conferencing via video chats on Zoom or Teams.  Would  you want to be coached or mentored via WhatApp or emails.   For any relationship to work, check that you are happy that the mentor or coach are accessible enough for you and will be responsive to your needs.

Like all healthy relationships, they thrive on good communication, honesty, trust, openness so given and receiving empathetic and constructive feedback is important.

A good coach or mentor should provide you with constructive feedback, challenge you when necessary, and hold you accountable for your actions.  They should also actively seek and listen to your feedback, and you should notice that they are taking it onboard and adapting to your refined needs.

So, as you progress with coaching or mentoring, make sure that the mentor or coach has a structured approach to monitoring your progress and adjusting strategies as needed.

Being accountable for what you have said you will do and doing it is essential.  The mentor or coach should be the same.

Return on investment is what any professional businessperson wants to see.  So, understand and notice what you are getting out of the coaching or mentoring.   It may be a blend of intangibles (increased confidence, new skills at influencing others, processes for dealing with conflict, constructive critique) or tangibles (e.g. ideas and advice, new techniques or business processes specific skills or strategies).   Good coaches or mentors make real differences.  You will feel it, see it and notice the changes in you.

Whilst coaching or mentoring will bring about improvements in  you or your business which are likely to result in financial gain, you still need to understand the financial investment required for coaching or mentoring services, manage the cashflow, and ensure it aligns with your budget.

It is helpful to clarify the duration and commitment expected from both parties to avoid misunderstandings later on.

Coaching or mentoring must be delivered in a confidential way.  It is important to set this out at the beginning and establish trust.

So, establish clear boundaries around confidentiality and ensure you feel comfortable sharing sensitive information with your coach or mentor. Trust is crucial for a successful coaching or mentoring relationship.

As business owners and people, there is a lot that we can find we have to deal with.  Ensure that you understand what flexibility and adaptability your prospective coach or mentor must changing circumstances.   So, it’s essential to find a coach or mentor who can adapt their approach to accommodate your evolving needs and challenges.

Finally, you need to assess if the chemistry and connection are there with the person you are considering.   Finally, trust your instincts and choose someone you feel a genuine connection with. A strong rapport and mutual respect will enhance the effectiveness of the coaching or mentoring relationship.

If you have any questions about coaching or mentoring, please contact us, we would be happy to help you achieve what you want to do, in the way you want to achieve it.  Just click on the links if you want to book a coaching session or book a mentoring session or even a book a mix of coaching/mentoring

We are here to help.

Phil Howell