(2nd of 4 questions to ask when looking for a career coach. Back to list of questions to ask.)
Certification .
Certification does not mean an expert understands the real world. I know a lot of legal secretaries who know the law better than lawyers. Have you been practiced on by a medical professional who’s advice defies common sense? You question their wisdom, but feel obligated to follow it because they are the certified expert. Then they make you feel like it is your fault you are not ‘fixed’ when you followed their instructions.
Here is a story that explains it all.
In the movie “The Kings Speech” Lionel Logue a washed up actor, coaches soon to be King George VI on how to overcome stuttering. Mr. Logue has no formal training in speech therapy and can’t land a single acting gig. Logue has success helping people other experts could not fix, and a huge well of proactive compassion. Days before the coronation Albert “Bertie” and Lionel verbally hash out why there is a lack of progress.
Logue hits the heart of the real issue by tearing through the royal family and sarcastically ridiculing Bertie’s previous panel of medical experts. “They’re all idiots!” Enraged, Bertie lashes back “They’ve been knighted!”
“Makes it official then, doesn’t it?” Bertie slowly sees for the first time a new perspective he is not the problem.
Good coaches cause you to see your challenges in a new way. The best ones can do it because they once were you and have overcome the same challenge. Yes this is true for a life coach or career coach.
Street smarts checkmates certificates.
Certifications by themselves are book smarts in perfect world conditions. What in this world is perfect? The true value you need to look for is a coach who knows the answers to questions books can never contain. I have nothing against being certified. It can cut years off the learning curve. You be wary of any person who expects you to accept credentials as proof of their effectiveness. So ask, “What makes you qualified?” If they point to a certificate and smile, thank them kindly for the time and get thee out the door.
When a story appears of struggle, dedication and a commitment to helping you, you want to keep asking questions. You might have found a winner.
Listen for WHY they are doing what they are doing. I’ll take a green-horn coach who has their why is in the right place over someone with 10 years experience that believes their certification is self-evident.
Entitlement at any stage is contempt of performance… So you should also ask…
Question 3: Do you have balls? (Posted: 10/27/11)
